Lebanon forms new government breaking nine-month deadlock

Lebanese political factions agreed Thursday on the formation of a new government, breaking a nine-month deadlock that served to deepen the country's economic woes.

Rival political groups had been locked in disagreement over the makeup of a new government since May, after the country's first parliamentary elections in nine years.

"We must turn the page and start working," said Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri, who is now in his third term.

The 30-member cabinet has four women, including the interior minister - a first for Lebanon.

The most pressing challenge for the cabinet is to revive Lebanon's economic fortunes and cut the national debt, which stands at about 150% of GDP.

Hariri's reforms are expected to unlock nearly $11bn (£8bn) in pledged international aid and loans.

Celebrations broke out after the announcement, including fireworks that lighted up the Beirut sky.

Lebanon is governed by a complex power-sharing system aimed at representing all of its religious and political communities.

Hariri's new government will be composed of most of the country's rival factions, including the Iran-backed Shia movement Hezbollah which - with its allies - made gains in parliamentary elections last May.

Jamil Jabak was chosen as health minister by Hezbollah, although he is not a member of it.

Other key members of the new cabinet are Ali Hassan Khalil and Gebran Bassil, who both remain as finance and foreign ministers respectively.

Four women entered the government. Among them is Rhea al-Hasan, the country's new interior minister.

The announcement of the new government ends months of uncertainty following elections more than eight months ago.

Lebanon has long had a power-sharing political system between the different religious denominations.

Labour unions and government employees have held limited strikes, and protests had picked up in recent weeks, with complaints about the politicians' delay in forming a government and approving a budget as the economy suffered.

The number of seats in parliament is split between Christians and Muslims, and the president, prime minister, and speaker of the parliament must each come from a specific religious background.