January 24th, 2011 by Alec

The militant group Hezbollah has won backing from a majority of Lebanese MPs after Druze leader Walid Jumblatt and six other members of his Progressive Socialist Party switched their allegiance from Saad Hariri and the March 14th movement.  The group nominated Najib Mikati, a former billionaire businessman and Prime Minister, with support from 65 of the 128 members of the Lebanese Parliament.  A Hezbollah-dominated government may signal a realignment of Lebanon away from the United States and would likely denounce forthcoming indictments from the STL.  Hariri supporters have accused Hezbollah of launching a coup and have called for “day of anger” protests on Tuesday.  State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley stated that a Hezbollah-controlled government would complicate ties between the two countries and it would be difficult for the U.S. to continue to assist Lebanon.

Posted in Hezbollah, Lebanon, Political Parties |