New Lebanese cabinet's challenge is to sustain its credibility
Lebanon's new cabinet gets to work amid increased sectarian violence at a time of economic downturn and as a weakened civil society is suffering from the spillover of the Syrian crisis.
In Lebanon, after 10 months and 10 days, a new cabinet was finally formed.
President Michel Suleiman and Prime Minister Tammam Salam convened the first meeting of the 24-member Council of Ministers.
This constituted the anchoring of what people hope will be a functioning government expected to prepare for the election of a new president and to face the issues that have emerged as a result of the Syrian crisis.
The concern of the international community about the unity and stability of Lebanon has lessened now that a functioning cabinet has been established. But while the cabinet released Lebanon’s political establishment from the prison of indecision, it remains vital that its statement of policy — to be drafted this week by seven of the cabinet members — articulate a viable consensus that sustains the cabinet’s effectiveness and credibility.
