By ZEINA KARAM, Associated Press Writer BEIRUT, Lebanon - Lebanon's prime minister-designate announced his new Cabinet on Tuesday, a government dominated by opponents of Syria, although it includes a member of the militant Hezbollah group, which Washington brands a terrorist organization. The 24-member Cabinet, the first since Syria withdrew its troops from Lebanon, omits prominent Christian representation of followers of former Gen. Michel Aoun.The formation of the new Cabinet brings to an end almost three weeks of political squabbling over key posts. Pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud repeatedly demanded changes in Prime Minister-designate Fuad Saniora's suggested lineups.Aoun, the former army commander who returned to Lebanon from 14 years of exile in France, wanted the Justice portfolio but was refused. It went instead to Lahoud ally Charles Rizk.Hezbollah's Mohammed Fneish received the power and hydraulic resources ministry, while the militant group's ally, Tarrad Hamadeh, retained the post of labor minister.The key Foreign Ministry went to Shiite Fawzi Salloukh after negotiations with Hezbollah and its rival Amal movement. Salloukh is a former veteran diplomat who served for more than three decades with the foreign corps. He does not belong to either group, but was acceptable to both.Saniora said he was "proud" of Fneish's participation and promised that the Cabinet will work on improving relations with Syria, which have suffered since the withdrawal.The new administration also includes ministers close to Lahoud, including his son-in-law, former Defense Minister Elias Murr, who survived an assassination attempt on June 12. He retains the Defense portfolio.Most other posts in the Cabinet, which includes 12 Christians and 12 Muslims per Lebanon's sectarian political system, went to members of lawmaker Saad Hariri's Future Movement and his allies.Cardinal Nasrallah Sfeir, head of the influential Maronite Church, on Sunday refused to bless Saniora's list because it included no Aoun supporters, Lahoud media adviser Rafik Shalala said.

MASNAA BORDER POST, Lebanon - Sheltering from the searing heat in the shade of his truck, a red-faced and sweating Ali Bakri glared angrily at the endless line of cargo trucks stranded on the Lebanese-Syrian border. "We are being treated like animals. We have no food, no water to wash. How long can this go on?" the 35-year-old Jordanian trucker said Monday.Fresh fruits are turning to mush as customs officials carry out excruciatingly thorough searches, spending up to an hour with each vehicle. Previously, Syrian officials gave only cursory searches and often simply waved drivers through. Truckers now wait in line a week or more.The drivers and their cargo are a casualty of the souring relations between Lebanon and Syria since Damascus was forced to relinquish its three-decade-long military grip on Lebanon three months ago.Many Lebanese say Syria has clamped what amounts to a land and sea siege on its tiny neighbor to exact revenge following the withdrawal of thousands of troops. But the Syrians say the strict measures are aimed at catching saboteurs and militants.France, a close Lebanese ally, has criticized the Syrian border actions. U.N. envoy Terje Roed-Larsen briefed European Union foreign ministers on the dispute Monday and urged Lebanon and Syria to end the impasse.Lebanon's only land outlet is via its shared border with Syria, through which 60 percent of Lebanese exports pass on their way to other Arab and Gulf markets, officials say. The dispute is estimated to be costing Lebanon over $300,000 a day.

Lebanon’s parliament has approved an amnesty for Christian militia leader Samir Geagea, who is currently serving a life sentence.  He is the …