Hariri faces a difficult task

Appointing Sa'ad Hariri as prime minister of Lebanon is risky as he is a political novice who would take the helm at a critical time.

But it is his right, as he leads the largest parliamentary bloc that won the recent elections with a comfortable majority. This offers stability on the condition that he knows how to achieve the delicate balance on which Lebanese politics are based.

Thus, forming a government acceptable to all is a difficult task. Appeasing the various parties is tricky. But the statement he issued shortly after his appointment makes for a promising start.

By emphasising unity and putting the difficult past behind him, Hariri is extending a hand to his rivals to join in rebuilding confidence in a bitterly divided country.

The election results showed that the people of Lebanon are tired of political bickering and government paralysis. The opposition, led by Hezbollah, is expected to demand a veto power in the Cabinet.

The parliamentary majority will not accept this as it would defeat the purpose of the elections. But in Lebanon, the government is always a product of consensus.

And the only figure all Lebanese seem to support is the president. Perhaps it is time for President General Michel Sulaiman to be given a key role in the Cabinet.