Lebanon: protests over nomination of new Prime Minister

Hundreds of angry protesters burned tires and blocked roads across Lebanon on Tuesday after the Iranian-backed Hezbollah movement secured the appointment of its candidate to lead the next government.

The nomination of Najib Mikati as prime minister, endorsed by President Michel Suleiman, is seen a victory for Hezbollah, which secured the parliamentary votes needed to wrest control of the Lebanese government.

The protesters turned out in many cities in support of Mikati's defeated rival Saad al-Hariri, a Sunni Muslim whose government was ousted this month by Shi'ite Hezbollah and its
allies in a dispute over the investigation of his father's assassination in 2005.

The protests were part of a "day of anger" called by loyalists of Hariri to protest against Hezbollah.

Mikati, a telecoms tycoon who has portrayed himself as a consensus candidate, said he would start talks to form a government on Thursday and appealed to all Lebanese factions to overcome their differences.

Tracey McClure spoke to regional freelance journalist Lamia Lahoud for some insight into the rising tensions in Lebanon.
Listen to the interview: