Salam Holds onto Consensus although 'Vacuum Threatens Serail'
Prime Minister Tammam Salam has said that he was procrastinating on calling for a cabinet session to allow consultations taking place among officials to resolve the government crisis.
“The state's prestige is at stakes amid a paralysis striking its institutions,” Salam told An Nahar daily published on Monday.
The PM said that Defense Minister Samir Moqbel decided earlier this month to extend the terms of three top army officials to prevent a vacuum in the military institution.
Moqbel's decision angered the Free Patriotic Movement of MP Michel Aoun whose supporters held protests calling for the appointment of new high-ranking military and security officials.
“How would we provide the people's needs … if there is no consensus in the government?” wondered Salam.
The premier reiterated that consensus is necessary when asked if he would go ahead with decisions taken by only 18 cabinet ministers.
He said he rejected to be on anybody's side in the government. “The day I give up my consensual role, there is no need for me to continue in my position.”
Salam vowed to continue to exercise his authorities and stop crises from striking the government.
The cabinet failed last week to take any decision on the controversial decision-making mechanism or the waste crisis.
Salam said he paved way for everyone to express their opinion “so that they know I don't manage sessions in a dictatorial way.”
The PM's visitors also quoted him as saying on Monday that the parties paralyzing the cabinet would be held responsible for the repercussions of the standstill.
“The presidential vacuum shut the parliament's doors and is threatening the Grand Serail, the last institution functioning” properly, Salam told the visitors in remarks published in al-Joumhouria daily.
Lebanon has been without a president since May last year when Michel Suleiman's six-year term ended.
The vacuum at Baabda Palace has left the parliament in paralysis and caused disputes among ministers.
G.K.
D.A.
over 9 years
Excellent comment.
over 9 years
totally agree
over 9 years
Dear Mr. Salam
Do you know why I was banned?
Do you know why mowaten is getting 25 votes every time he posts a comment?
Do you think the_roar will ever post again?
over 9 years
Dear flamethrower (Guest)
the_roar has been posting nonstop but you just don't see it. I have confirmed reports he will post today.
over 9 years
until the Christians have the same decision making as the Sunni-Shia-Druze, then the most powerful Christian bloc & their followers will obstruct & protest until they are equals.
God bless the general of generals who fights for equality on behalf of the Christian Lebanese.
otherwise the Lebanese christians shall forever remain servants to KSA & co
Enough is enough Mr Kojak PM...
over 9 years
So servitude to Iran is Ok then, right?
over 9 years
Why do you & all m14ers insist on serving anyone?
how about defending the rights of Christians in Lebanon to at least participate on equal terms as the Sunni-shia-Druze.
No to iran...no to KSA ..no to anyone from outside.
Listen to the only Lebanese who at least suggested allowing the people to vote directly, which would make outsiders irrelevant.
But alas all you m14ers are good for is to refuse made in Lebanon
over 9 years
No one is insisting on servitude to any outside power. Simply stating reality. If Christian rights, and I am Christian, hinge on Apun's insistence on associating Christians with Iran, then I for one reject this absolutely.
Come on let's be candid with each other, Aoun IS riding the Iranian horse hoping against all hope that he will land the presidency. I used to support him when I believed he had principles unlike the rest of our politicians. And then discovered that his "principles" are up for sale to the highest bidder.
Sorry, but Aoun proved he is anything but a champion of Christian rights. If us Christians must hitch our wagons to an outside power, it is preferable that that power be associated with the Western countries.
From one consensus to another, we are sinking deeper and deeper into mediocrity.
In times of crisis, one needs to take bold decisions.
Making decisions is a sign of Leadership, not dictatorship.