BEIRUT, July 19 (Xinhuanet) -- Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Fouad Seniora announced Tuesday the formation of a 24-member new cabinet after three weeks of bickering over key posts.  

    The new cabinet did not include associates of former army commander Michel Aoun.

    Earlier in the day, Seniora said that he hoped to announce the formation of a new government on Tuesday.

    "We have reached agreement on a 24-member government," Siniora told reporters after a meeting with President Emile Lahoud.  

    "We had a good meeting. We progressed in our discussions and I will have a new meeting today to announce a new government," he said.

    Last Friday, Seniora offered to Lahoud a new draft of a 24-member cabinet without any loyals to Aoun.

    An earlier proposed lineup was disapproved by Aoun and Shiite Hezbollah and Amal movements.  Enditem