Lebanon: Government, formed by Hariri, approved

On Wednesday, a vote of confidence took place after lawmakers heard and debated the new government’s policy statement, outlining its priorities for the coming months.

92 members attended the session of the 128-member assembly. The assembly approved the new government 87 to 4, with one abstention.

A new 30-member government headed by Hariri was announced on December 18, nearly two months after a new president was elected. The premier vowed that his top priority would be protecting the country from the effects of the turmoil in neighboring Syria.

The government includes most of the country’s political groups. The Shiite terrorist group Hezbollah holds two seats.