Lebanon forms new government, ending 13-month standoff

Administration greeted with little enthusiasm by Lebanese people desperate for slide into chaos to stop

After a 13-month feud, a catastrophic economic collapse and in spite of demands for reforms required to unlock desperately needed aid, Lebanon's politicians have finally agreed to a new government that suggests more of the same.

The formation of an administration, headed by the billionaire and two-time former prime minister, Najib Miqati, was on Friday met with relief but little enthusiasm by Lebanese people who had been desperate to stop the slide towards poverty and chaos, brought on by the standoff that had started in the weeks after the devastating explosion at Beirut port.