'Hariri approved as PM by parliament'

             The Lebanese parliament has approved the appointment of Sa'ad al-Hariri, son of slain Lebanese opposition leader Rafik Hariri, as prime minister, Reuters reported Friday. Lebanon's March 14 coalition won the majority of votes in national elections held earlier this month. President Michel Suleiman is expected to consult with parliament members later Friday to make a final decision over the future premier's appointment, scheduled for next week. Suleiman will declare which candidate has received the majority of support on Saturday. Soon after results of the elections were known, Hariri announced that his country would not conduct an independent peace track with Israel, and may not even join the Arab peace initiative, should it become the basis for regional negotiations. (11,00)