Beirut: Lebanon has appointed the Arab world's first female interior minister in its new government, prising open a wider foothold for women in its overwhelmingly male political scene.

Members of Lebanon's new government: Minister of State for Social and Economic Rehabilitation for Youth and Women Violette Safadi, Interior Minister Raya al-Hassan, Minister of State for Administrative Development May Chidiac and Minister of Energy and Water Nada Boustani Khoury. Credit:Lebanese Government via AP

Raya al-Hassan is one of four women to take cabinet jobs in the new coalition, more than ever before in Lebanon and three more than in the last government, in which even the minister for women was a man.

Though Hassan has already held top jobs – including finance minister in 2009-2011 – her appointment to a portfolio managing security was hailed as a step forward for women in Lebanese politics.

"This is a point of pride for all women and all the people who believe in women's capabilities," Hassan said.