BEIRUT, May 24 -- Lebanese President Michel Aoun on Thursday issued a decree designating caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri as the new prime minister and charged him with the formation of a new cabinet.

Hariri received 111 out of the 128 possible votes after Aoun held binding consultations with MPs throughout Thursday.

"After discussing with Speaker Nabih Berri ... the president has summoned Hariri to form a government," a statement from the presidency said.

Hezbollah abstained from naming anyone for the premiership, but voiced its willingness to work with whoever was designated.

After accepting the nomination, Hariri told reporters "I will work from this moment on to form a national unity government."

He stressed "nothing protects us except for our national unity."