The new government has 30 ministers from seven sects.
The national unity government is a government for all of Lebanon, and is tasked with restoring confidence in the nation, which fortifies coexistence, the Lebanese people's faith in one another, justice and love, said Prime Minister Siniora in a speech after the official announcement of the cabinet.
Security and the economic growth are the two main concerns of the newly formed government. Whether the men forming the government, will be able to put aside individual and sectarian/party agenda and move on remains to be seen.
As for Lebanon's relation with Syria, and how Assad responds, please read Tony Badran's excellent analysis.
On the one hand, this is Assad directly flipping off the French over their demands on human and civic rights in Syria (engage that!). On the other hand, what Assad is saying, when he demands Kilo “admit error,” is that he (and everyone else for that matter) must denounce the basic declaration in that document regarding a reassessment of Syria's outlook towards Lebanon. In other words, Assad is saying — to the French specifically, hence the grotesque, Ahmadinejad-style Garaudy reference (Bashar's anti-Semitism is known and quite pronounced. Oh and note to the thug: Garaudy was never actually sent to jail, it was a suspended sentence; quite unlike all those whom this thug and his father buried in their archipelago of dungeons) — any notion of a serious Syrian reassessment of its Lebanon policy is just delusional.
I agree with Tony. Dictators never change. Now that we know that, how is Lebanon going to handle the relationship? It won't be easy, especially if the international community decides that the best way to counter dictators is to work with them. The Western double standard shows not only hypocrisy, but also stupidity.
I don't know what Sarkozy tries to do, but he should look up in recent history, and learn how the Americans lost Iran [in 1979], because they did not put the money where mouth is. France seems to be doing the exact same thing with Syria.
Talking to Assad can only legitimize his criminal regime and keep Lebanon hostage for a longer time. Is it worth it?
