Lebanon formed its first full-fledged government since 2022, following unusually direct US intervention in the process and in a step intended to bring the country closer to accessing reconstruction funds following a devastating war between Israel and Hezbollah.

New Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said the 24-member cabinet would prioritize financial reforms, reconstruction and the implementation of a United Nations resolution seen as a cornerstone to stability on the Lebanese border with Israel.

The announcement came after more than three weeks of talks with rival political parties in Lebanon - where government posts are parceled out according to sect - and days of deadlock over the Shi’ite Muslim ministers, usually named by the Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorist organization and its Shi’ite ally Amal

The US embassy in Lebanon welcomed the cabinet announcement, saying it hoped it would rebuild Lebanon’s state institutions and implement needed reforms.