Salam: Time has Come to Activate Political Activity

Prime Minister Tammam Salam said on Thursday that the time has come to restore political activity in Lebanon, urging the political forces to agree on facilitating the cabinet's work in wait for the “big political settlement that begins with electing a president.”

“It is about time to end the current chaos and to restore the political activity by activating the work of the constitutional institutions,” said Salam at the opening of the Annual Arab Banking Conference.

“Political forces are urged to agree to facilitate the cabinet activity in wait for the big political settlement that begins with electing a president,” he added.

Lebanon has been without a president since the term of President Michel Suleiman ended in May 2014. Conflicts between rival political camps have thwarted all attempts aiming at electing a successor.

“I hereby urge the political factions to communicate together and agree on what facilitates the cabinet's work for the good of the Lebanese,” the Premier stated.

Pointing to the latest legislative session that addressed mainly financial draft laws, Salam said: “The parliament was able, in an exceptional session last week, to pass several laws which secured a legal umbrella to address issues of money laundering, transfer of funds and financing terrorism.

“For its part, the executive authority will carry out its duties. There is a long list of important decisions that need to be made including adopting and implementing the plan to solve the trash management issue.”

Prior to last week's meeting, parliament had not held a legislative session since November 2014.

It held legislative session last week to tackle pending draft laws.

D.A.

M.T.