BEIRUT - Saad Hariri was poised to be designated Lebanon's new prime minister after his Western-backed party, which along with its allies holds the majority in parliament, picked him for the post on Friday.
"We have chosen as our candidate for the premiership the head of the Future Movement, Saad Hariri," party official and MP Samir el-Jisr told reporters after holding consultations with President Michel Sleiman.
Sleiman is expected to officially designate Hariri on Saturday.
Hariri's March 14 alliance won 71 seats in this month's parliamentary election against 57 won by a coalition led by the militant group Hezbollah, which is supported by Syria and Iran.
The other parties that are part of Hariri's alliance are expected to voice their support for his nomination as premier during consultations due to be wrapped up on Saturday.
Hezbollah, whose leader Hassan Nasrallah met with Hariri late Thursday, will continue cooperating with an "open mind" in the discussions on naming a new premier, the head of the group's parliamentary bloc Mohamed Raad said.
Hezbollah and its allies want a continuation of the government of national unity formed last year after deadly clashes between the rival blocs brought Lebanon to the brink of a new civil war.
But Hariri's majority bloc insists it will only accept a unity government if the Hezbollah alliance surrenders the veto powers it enjoys in the outgoing cabinet.
Hariri, 39, is the son and political heir of slain ex-premier Rafiq Hariri who was killed in a massive bombing in 2005 that forced the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon after a 29-year presence.
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