BEIRUT, Lebanon, April 19 (UPI) -- Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati Tuesday announced the appointment of a new cabinet as a step toward a general election this spring.
Mikati promised action against police and security chiefs who were lax in investigating the bombing death of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
"We want to know the truth behind the former prime minister's assassination and, as such, I believe it is important to review the status of the chiefs of security departments," Mikati said.
He promised his cabinet will conduct general elections in May.
The announcement marked the end of a two-month crisis that began when the government of Premier Omar Karami resigned following Hariri's Feb. 14 assassination.
In Washington, State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli said, "The most important thing is for this new government to move forward in conducting free and fair elections that are untainted by foreign interference, before the end of May."
He reiterated the U.S. demand for a prompt Syrian withdrawal.
Free and transparent elections are mandated by U.N. Security Council resolution 1559, which forced Syria to withdraw its troops and intelligence personnel from Lebanon. That withdrawal should be complete by the end of April.
