11.   President Elias Hrawi accepted the resignation and asked Hariri to stay on until a new premier is named.

12.   The visit to Russia, the first by key economic policymaker Zhu since he was named premier in March, is intended to help redress that problem.

13.   Westendorp had the right to name a premier himself.

14.   Analysts say the lira might firm further if a new Italian premier is named this week.

15.   State television said Berisha had signed a decree creating the new government, which came the day after an opposition Socialist Bashkim Fino was named premier.

16.   The new premier was named Wednesday.