Najib Mikati, a pro-Syrian politician, has been named the new Prime Minister of Lebanon by President Emile Lahoud. While Mikati is considered an ally of Damascus, he has more moderate views than his predecessor, Omar Karami. Mikati received the backing of anti-Syrian parties in a surprise vote. He is considered a compromise candidate by many experts.

The Lebanese government has been in chaos since the murder of former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri in mid-February. Many blamed Syria for Hariri's death and anti-Syrian rallies soon followed in Beirut. Syria has occupied Lebanon since 1976 and has controlled the government there since 1990 when the Lebanese Civil War ended.

The 49-year-old Mikati is an affluent business man and a personal friend of Syrian dictator Bashar Assad. He told reporters he wanted to help heal the fractured nation.

'I hope I can embody national unity, he said. 'We are facing an important stage ... the return of democracy.'

Mikati must now form a government. He indicated at his press conference that he would begin negotiations to do so immediately. It is hoped that he will lead the country through peaceful and fair elections presently scheduled to take place next month.

Jeffrey Feltman, the U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon told reporters, 'It's in the interest of Lebanon, in the interest of the people of Lebanon, in our view, that these elections take place quickly and we hope that the cabinet formation will take place quickly.'

Earlier this week, anti-Syrian politicians in Lebanon accused the pro-Syrian government of attempting to delay elections. The appointment of Mikati makes that a bit less likely.

Meanwhile, the United States continues to insist that all Syrian troops and intelligence officers be out of Lebanon prior to the May elections.