BEIRUT: Lebanese lawmakers designated Prime Minister Saad Hariri for a third term in office Thursday, less than three weeks after elections that saw his movement lose ground in parliament.

“The head of state summoned prime minister Saad Hariri and tasked him with forming a government,” said a statement posted on social media by the office of President Michel Aoun.

The presidency made the announcement after Hariri, 48, was endorsed by a vast majority of members of parliament after only a few hours of consultations.—AFP