Lebanon Saad al-Hariri 'cautiously optimistic' on new government formation

This week will be decisive in efforts to form a new Lebanese government, prime minister-designate Saad al-Hariri said on Tuesday, adding he was "cautiously optimistic", a statement from his office said.

Rival parties have been negotiating to form a government since an election in May, fuelling concerns that a crisis is looming for the country's heavily indebted, stagnant economy.