Lebanon PM-designate begins tough talks to form government

Lebanon's prime minister-designate Saturday launched consultations to form a desperately-needed government for a protest-hit country facing economic collapse, saying political leaders are warming up to a line-up of independent experts.Debt-burdened Lebanon has been without a fully functioning government since former prime minister Saad Hariri resigned on October 29 in the face of nationwide protests.Demonstrators are demanding an overhaul of the political establishment which they deem corrupt an