Salam Warns of Collapse and Destruction if Problems not Resolved
Prime Minister Tammam Salam has warned that the state would “collapse” if Baabda Palace remained vacant and the cabinet crisis was not solved, As Safir daily reported on Thursday.
“I have told Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif that (Tehran's) lauding of the (Lebanese) government and its head should be interpreted with bringing a consensual president or else Lebanon would collapse and be destroyed,” Salam said, according to As Safir.
Zarif made a two-day visit to Beirut last week.
“I won't allow the same scenarios to be repeated in the cabinet,” said the premier about disputes among ministers and their failure in the last session to reach any decision.
As Safir said that Salam made his remarks to his visitors on Wednesday.
Salam did not invite the cabinet to convene this week, saying he was giving consultations time to resolve the crisis, which erupted over the insistence of the Free Patriotic Movement to first discuss the government's decision-making mechanism.
The FPM has been holding street protests against what it says is Salam's violation of the Christian president's powers amid a vacuum at Baabda Palace. It is seeking to amend the cabinet's working mechanism and wants to pressure the government to appoint high-ranking military and security officials rather than extending their terms.
Salam told his visitors that despite the procrastination on calling the cabinet to convene, he will “use his Constitutional right to invite for a government session to discuss issues with high priority.”
He also stressed that he had high confidence in the wisdom of Speaker Nabih Berri and Progressive Socialist Party chief MP Walid Jumblat to find a solution to the cabinet crisis and the parliament paralysis.
“When I threatened that I would resign, I wasn't maneuvering,” said Salam.
“But I backed off from my decision after it created a positive political shock,” he added.
G.K.
D.A.
over 9 years
do you know where flamethrower is? He has not been home in a week?
over 9 years
Pffft
over 9 years
she does not know that flamethrower is now living with me;))
over 9 years
Caporal has already destroyed the country. Now Lebanon is behind Eritrea.
over 9 years
i wonder how you are and where you are dear flamethrower as you lay in pieces and total tranquility at your final resting place in zabadani.... RIP shia Hero
over 9 years
Of course not! The Butcher has agents within our Lebanon. It just happens that you know them very well...
over 9 years
....and please : when you talk about incompetence and corruption look at your people who have surpassed everyone...
over 9 years
Do you know who Shreek is?
over 9 years
I respect Mr. Flamethrower and Mr. Watann equally for their patriotic stances and contribution to this forum
over 9 years
Almost the 22 nd century & in Lebanon
No President/ No working Gov/ No working Parliament/ No Electricity/ No water ect the list goes on… very sad
The good news:
Plenty of Garbage/ Plenty of corrupted rotten politicians/ Plenty Syr, Palest, Tombuktu Refugees/ Plenty of Oil & Gas under the sea bed…
over 9 years
FT, Watan, Mowaten, and I are the 4 most informative posters on naharnet by 4 country miles. No wonder we are in the VIP section of the top rated comments.
over 9 years
what about me?
over 9 years
how do i get to be included in the vip section?
over 9 years
The government never collapses. The pseudo-government officials, who have not stood for election in over 6 years are completely illegitimate and they have the position of "holdover" Ministers in a "holdover" Government.
They have made themselves almost completely irrelevant to the welfare of the Lebanese State because they are so dysfunctional at the task of government. When the garbage is not picked up, the people make a fuss, and then they all decide which one will stuff their pockets with money from a garbage removal contract. It is institutionalized thievery in the Government and the Lebanese people, ever resilient and capable of assimilating to any circumstance has accepted this as business as usual.
over 9 years
Salam needs to put his foot down and tell the FPM to either get with the plan or butt out, as they are better off in the opposition to the government.
over 9 years
Tric, lay off, you're boring.
ufft