Adib Named New Lebanese PM

TEHRAN (IQNA) – Lebanese diplomat Mustapha Adib secured the support of a majority of lawmakers to be designated as the new prime minister on Monday.

Adib, Lebanon’s ambassador to Germany, secured at least 66 votes, or more than half of the 120 MPs currently serving in the Lebanese parliament, after the Christian Free Patriotic Movement announced it had nominated him.

Lebanon’s parliament usually has 128 MPs but eight resigned following the Aug. 4 port explosion.

President Michel Aoun designated Adib later on Monday to form a new government, Reuters reported.

The previous government quit on Aug. 10 in the wake of the catastrophic explosion at Beirut port.