12 January 2011: Lebanon's unity government collapses after 11 ministers led by militant party Hezbollah and its allies resign over a UN probe into the murder of former premier Rafiq Hariri.

13 January: Lebanon's president calls on the cabinet headed by Saad Hariri, son of the slain leader, to continue in a caretaker capacity pending the formation of a new government.

23 January: The US and Israel warn against the formation of a Lebanese government led by Hezbollah.

25 January: President Michel Sleiman issues a decree appointing Hezbollah-backed Najib Mikati as new prime minister. From the next day Mikati prepares for talks on forming a government.

27 January: Caretaker premier Hariri asks prime minister-designate Mikati to clarify his position on a UN tribunal probing the assassination of Hariri's father before deciding on whether to join the government.

7 February: Christian leader Amin Gemayel says his pro-West party will not join Lebanon's next cabinet.

17 February: The formation of a new government in Lebanon is delayed as politicians haggle over the distribution of ministries.

13 June: Mikati announces the formation of a new 30-member cabinet in which Hezbollah and its allies hold the majority. Hezbollah ally Talal Arslan says he resigns shortly after, pointing to differences with the premier.