Lebanon formed a new government on Saturday, following unusually direct U.S. 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.

Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Saturday formed a new cabinet made up of specialized and clean-handed ministers, ending past dominance by Hezbollah and its allies, with the mission of introducing needed reforms and securing Israel's complete withdrawal from south Lebanon.

BEIRUT -- Lebanon’s new prime minister on Saturday formed the country’s first full-fledged government since 2022. President Joseph Aoun announced in a statement that he had accepted the resignation of the former caretaker government and signed a decree with new Prime Minister Nawaf Salam forming the new government.