Salam Meets Suleiman: We Will Not Be Hasty in Forming New Government

Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam stated on Tuesday that he is keen on preserving the “positive and optimistic” conditions that prevailed in Lebanon after his appointment to his position.

He said: “I do not support being hasty in forming a new government, but the process should not be slow either because the country needs a cabinet.”

He made his remarks after holding talks with President Michel Suleiman at the Baabda Palace.

“We back anything that favors national interests,” he told reporters as he was leaving the palace.

Earlier on Tuesday, Salam denied claims that he has strained ties with Speaker Nabih Berri, while hoping that consensus over his appointment to his post will continue in the government formation process.

He said: “All sides are obligated to preserve this consensus.”

He made his remarks before a delegation from the editors syndicate.

“The current phase is critical and it requires great efforts to overcome it,” he continued.

“This demands the cooperation of all sides, especially Suleiman,” emphasized Salam.

The country needs positive conditions between the people “and they have started to emerge since my appointment,” noted the premier-designate.

On the government formation, he stressed that women will be part of the new cabinet.

Moreover, he remarked that cooperation between the various political powers will not halt at the formation of the new cabinet, but they must continue over discussions on a new parliamentary electoral law.

“I hope to reach an agreement on a new law because staging the elections emphasizes Lebanon's democracy and I hope to play a role in this matter,” Salam declared.

Salam has repeatedly said that his new government will be aimed at staging and overseeing the parliamentary elections.

The political powers have yet however to agree on an electoral law, while a parliamentary subcommittee met on Tuesday to set the stage for the possible resumption of discussions between rival lawmakers on the draft-law.

The premier-designate held a series of consultations last week with parliamentary blocs in order to listen to their proposals over a new cabinet.