**Lebanese President Michel Suleiman has announced the formation of the 30-member national-unity cabinet - five months after a general election.**Five ministers were chosen by President Suleiman, and 15 are from PM-designate Saad Hariri’s Western-backed coalition.
The remaining 10 are from the opposition, including two members of Hezbollah, which struck a deal with the governing coalition last week.
The deadlock over the new government had threatened Lebanon’s stability.
Mr Hariri’s coalition won a narrow majority in June’s election, but needed to negotiate with the opposition to form a unity government.
“Finally, a government of national unity is born,” Mr Hariri said.
“I want to be honest from the start: this government can be a chance to renew faith in the state and its institutions… or it can turn into a replay of our failures.”
‘Real partnership’
Although his party has 15 cabinet positions, with Hezbollah and allies ten, neither side has outright control.
Hezbollah representative Mohammed Fneish told the Associated Press news agency: “This formula achieves the principle of real partnership in political decision-making on key decisions.”
The five ministers appointed by President Sleiman include key interior and defence portfolios.
One of the delays was prompted by Christian leader Michel Aoun, a Hezbollah ally, who insisted on retaining the sensitive telecommunications ministry.
Mr Hariri accepted his demand after initially rejecting it.
Mr Hariri led what many described as an anti-Syrian coalition to victory in the elections five months ago.
Syria was a significant political player in neighbouring Lebanon for nearly 30 years until the death of Mr Hariri’s father, Rafik, in 2005.