Formation of Lebanese government delayed

Talks are under way to solve differences over the formation of a government ahead of May's election.

Talks are under way to solve differences over the formation of a government ahead of May's election.

Pro-Syrian Prime Minister Omar Karami had promised to announce the new line-up this morning after talks with President Emile Lahoud, but the meeting was postponed until later today while politicians scrambled to reach a deal.

Lebanon has been without a government since anti-Syrian protests forced Mr Karami and his government to resign on February 28th.

Mr Karami later agreed to form a new cabinet to prepare for the election, set for May but now almost certain to be delayed - a move that angered Lebanon's anti-Syrian opposition, which expects to win a majority in a house now dominated by Damascus' allies.

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Facing popular protest after the February 14th killing of former prime minister Rafik al-Hariri, which many Lebanese blame on Syria, Damascus has bowed to US-led pressure to leave Lebanon.

Syria has vowed to be out by April 30th, ending a 29-year troop presence that began early in the 1975-1990 civil war.