BEIRUT – Lebanon’s parliament gave a newly-formed cabinet a vote of confidence on Thursday, ending almost a year of political deadlock during which the country has been pulled further into the civil war in neighboring Syria.

The approval – by 96 of the 101 parliamentarians who attended the vote – was widely expected after the government reached a compromise last week on a policy statement following weeks of dispute that brought it to the verge of collapse.

The vote gave Lebanon a fully empowered government for the first time in more than a year, raising hopes of holding presidential elections before President Michel Suleiman’s mandate expires in May and finally conducting parliamentary polls that were postponed last year due to the political impasse.

Until Prime Minister Tammam Salam’s government was formed last month, the country was ruled by a caretaker government following the resignation of his predecessor Najib Mikati, who resigned in March 2013.  

Speaking shortly before the vote, Salam said parliamentarians had highlighted three priorities for Lebanon: “Achieving security, addressing the tragedy of displaced Syrians and holding the presidential election on schedule.”

But he warned against inflated expectations.

“I would like to emphasize in front of you what all Lebanese know. Nothing will be promised that the government cannot achieve, so do not expect miracles.”

The policy statement approved last week fell short of explicitly enshrining Hezbollah’s role in confronting Israel but would give all citizens the right to resist Israeli occupation or attacks.