Lebanon names new anti-Syria PM

An ally of slain ex-leader Rafik Hariri has been named prime minister-designate to head the first Lebanese government free of Syrian interference since 1975.

Former finance minister Fouad Siniora was nominated by an overwhelming majority of legislators.

He is the nominee of Mr Hariri's son and political heir Saad, in an alliance with several other anti-Syrian blocs.

On Wednesday, Mr Hariri was reconciled with maverick ex-army chief Michel Aoun after a bitter dispute during polls.

Mr Siniora, 62, was finance minister for much of the post-civil war period.

The BBC correspondent in Beirut says Mr Siniora's appointment is likely to restore some confidence in Lebanon's shaken economy - although he was blamed in the past for the country's huge debt.

He joined calls for Syria's military withdrawal from Lebanon after Hariri's assassination in February, but has since stressed the need for strong and friendly ties with Damascus.

Mr Hariri's bloc holds 36 seats in the 128-seat parliament, but with its anti-Syrian allies it can count on 72 votes.

His allies include Druze leader Walid Jumblatt as well as the hardline Christian Mr Aoun.

On Tuesday, legislators re-elected staunch Syrian ally Nabih Berri as speaker of the house for the fourth four-year term.

Correspondents said the compromise over Mr Berri highlights how hard it will be for anti-Syrian lawmakers to erase Damascus's influence over Lebanese politics.

The appointment of Mr Siniora comes amid high tension on the southern border with Israel with violence that has left an Israeli soldier dead.