Incumbent Lebanese PM keeps post as economic crisis deepens

By BASSEM MROUE
Associated Press

BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati has won the support of more than 50 legislators to keep his post following last month’s parliamentary elections. Thursday’s development followed a day of consultations between President Michel Aoun and parliamentary blocs. Mikati was named by 54 legislators while his main rival for the post got less than half that figure. Forty-six lawmakers abstained from naming anyone. The new Cabinet will be in power until the end of October, when the president’s six-year term expires. Its main mission will be to continue talks with the International Monetary Fund over an economic recovery plan for Lebanon’s unprecedented economic meltdown.