Lebanon formed a new government on Saturday, following unusually direct U.S. intervention in the process and in a step intended to bring the country closer to accessing reconstruction funds following a devastating war between Israel and Hezbollah.

Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam formed a new cabinet made up of specialized and clean-handed ministers, ending past dominance by Hezbollah and its allies, with the mission of introducing needed reforms.

The new government faces the daunting task of implementing reforms needed to unlock billions of dollars from international donors after years of economic crisis