A blast kills a Lebanese soldier near Tripoli Northern Lebanon

Source: alalam.ir, 31-05-2008
TRIPOLI, Lebanon-A Lebanese soldier was killed early Saturday in a blast at an army intelligence post near the northern city of Tripoli, a security official said.
He said it was unclear what caused the blast that took place around 5:00 am (0200 GMT) in the Abdeh area located near the northern entrance of the city.
The incident took place as Lebanon seeks to move ahead with the formation of a new government of national unity following a deal to end an 18-month political crisis.
The deal struck in Qatar between the Western-backed ruling bloc and the pposition called for the election of army chief Michel Suleiman as president, the formation of a cabinet of national unity.
According to the deal, the opposition would have veto power in the new cabinet over key decisions and a new electoral law.
Suleiman was elected last Sunday and he appointed incumbent Fuad Siniora to head the new government.
Siniora began consultations Friday with heads of parliamentary blocs on forming a new national unity Cabinet in line with an Arab League brokered deal.
The consultations are expected to end Saturday, after which Siniora is to again meet Suleiman and discuss a possible Cabinet lineup.
The president must approve the new body before it is officially announced.