BEIRUT - Hopes rose Sunday that Lebanon's newly named prime minister Nagib Miqati could break six weeks of political deadlock by forming a government after he obtained support from opposition and pro-Syrian figures.

Businessman Miqati, who has close ties with Lebanon's political powerbrokers in Damascus, has sealed the cooperation of the anti-Syrian opposition, making the holding of crucial elections on time in May a realistic possibility.

"The prime minister designate seems to be moving in the right direction and we are optimistic," opposition MP Ghenwa Jalloul told journalists.

"The opposition will continue to facilitate the task... to make holding elections possible."

Lebanon has been without a government since former prime minister Omar Karameh resigned at the end of February following huge protests sparked by the assassination of his predecessor Rafiq Hariri in a massive Beirut bomb blast.

The opposition has accused the pro-Syrian government of seeking to stall elections for fear of a voter backlash over its alleged involvement in the February 14 killing.

Miqati, a 49-year-old Sunni Muslim, said on Saturday that he would form a "restricted government that could hold elections as soon as possible" and would sack security chiefs before a UN commission arrives to probe Hariri's
murder.

Miqati was chosen over Damascus protege President Emile Lahoud's candidate, outgoing Defence Minister Abdul Rahim Mrad, amid signs of cracks among loyalists allied to Syria.

The opposition, which expects to win the elections and has warned of more mass street protests if a government is not formed soon, decided to back Miqati after he pledged to meet some of their demands and despite his links to Syria.

Lebanon's opposition found a powerful new voice after Hariri's killing and blamed the attack on the pro-Syrian regime and its political masters in Damascus and had been demanding the sacking of top security officials.

Pro-Syrian politicians have now agreed in principle to suspend the six security chiefs and the public prosecutor, blamed for perpetuating Syrian influence in its smaller neighbour, but this must first be voted by parliament.

International pressure for elections to be held on time has increased in the last 48 hours, with the French foreign ministry saying holding elections would be the new government's "first task".

Saudi Foreign Minister Saud Faysal appealed for "the Lebanese to agree with each other... because there is not much time before elections".

Pro-Syrian loyalist MP Ali Hassan Khalil told AFP that his bloc "is ready to accept any kind of government... after opposition MPs showed a conciliatory mood" by taking part in designating a new prime minister.

"If the goodwill continues, the next government could be formed and obtain a vote of confidence during next week," said MP Ghassan Moukeiber.

"There will only be a few days left for parliament to adopt an electoral law and set a date for the poll, but MPs are used to taking decisions quickly, provided new external interference doesn't prevent them from doing so."

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