(BRUSSELS) - The European Union's French presidency welcomed on Friday the formation of a new Lebanese government after a year and a half of political crisis.

"The formation of a unity government marks an important step in the implementation of the Doha agreement" between the Lebanese parties in May, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said.

Kouchner said it was "essential" to stick to the deal which had "put an end to the political and institutional impasses that paralysed Lebanon for too long."

Lebanon announced a 30-member national unity government on Friday tasked with resolving the country's worst political crisis since a 1975-1990 civil war.

The lineup was announced in a decree signed by President Michel Sleiman and Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, seven weeks after the accord which saved Lebanon from the brink of renewed civil war.

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana also welcomed the announcement.

"After the huge difficulties that the country has been through during the past months, this is a key achievement," he said. "Important decisions need to be taken in the coming weeks and there is a lot of work to be done."

"Prime minister Siniora can be assured that the EU will continue to offer its full and sincere support to his decisive action and to the Lebanese people," he said.

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