(AP) Lebanon’s new prime minister, Omar Karami, formed a cabinet Tuesday consisting entirely of pro-Syrian politicians, defying international and domestic pressure against Syrian influence.
To face the pressure, Karami had called for a government of national unity, but the list of 30 names announced by presidential decree contained no members of the opposition. The list did include two women – a first for Lebanon.
Karami, who was prime minister in 1990-92, picked his team after five days of wrangling over the portfolios. Some political analysts expressed doubts as to whether Karami, a 70-year-old lawyer from northern Lebanon, would be able to bridge the differences.