Lahoud appoints Karami

President Emile Lahoud appointed pro-Syrian Omar Karami as Lebanon's prime minister yesterday, a move likely to strengthen Syria's role in Lebanon despite international pressure on Damascus to pull out its troops.

While 82 out of 128 parliamentarians named him as the best man for the job in consultation with Lahoud, if Karami manages to form a cabinet, he still has tough economic and diplomatic tasks ahead of him.

The government change comes as the United Nations and Washington heap pressure on Syria over its grip on Lebanon.

"I know the sensitivity of the situation and the size of the pressures on Lebanon and Syria, the sensitivity of the internal situation," Karami told reporters. "I neither fear nor dismiss that."He said he would try to include the opposition in his government despite the boycott by 29 MPs of the consultations, but warned "I don't promise miracles".

"Our goal, always, is the sovereignty, independence and freedom of Lebanon," he said. "That is everyone's demand."

Billionaire Prime Minister Rafik Al Hariri resigned on Wednesday and declined to head the new government after sharp political differences with Syrian-backed Lahoud.

Karami's appointment could provide a united administration that strongly backs Syria's role after years of bickering between Lahoud and Hariri paralysed the government.

Lahoud's term was extended last month under pressure from Damascus, drawing a UN Security Council resolution condemning foreign interference in Lebanon and demanding the withdrawal of foreign troops.

The 29 opposition MPs who boycotted the consultations said the new prime minister and his cabinet had already been decided. Hariri's 16-strong bloc refused to name a candidate.