Lebanese Government Formed; Hezbollah has a Seat at the Table

Earlier today, Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri formed a unity government. Importantly, this government includes two ministers affiliated with Hezbollah. Since June, Hariri has been trying to assemble a government among the various Lebanese factions and interests. In an effort to include all relevant parties, the new government will have 30 ministers in its cabinet: 15 from the Hariri block, 10 from the opposition (including the 2 Hezbollah ministers) and 5 nominated by President Suleiman (which includes the incumbent defense and interior ministers in their same portfolio). In essence, as Nadim Ladki in Reuters reports:

The president's ministers in theory hold the balance of power in cabinet, with the Hariri coalition unable to gain a simple majority and the minority unable to block key decisions as they do not hold a third plus one votes in government.

After four plus months of bargaining, Hariri has his government, but his work cut out for him. With the perennial range of questions affecting Lebanon, from rebuilding its economy, its massive debt burden, its constant sectarian strife, its relations with Syria, and not to forget, Israel as well, there is a full plate awaiting Hariri.