Naharnet

Suleiman during First Cabinet Session: Syria Didn’t Interfere in Govt. Formation

President Michel Suleiman stressed during the new cabinet’s first session that the government was formed with a Lebanese agenda and without foreign meddling, Information Minister Walid al-Daouq quoted him as saying.

Suleiman added: “Syria didn’t interfere and this is what we ask for.”

The president congratulated Prime Minister Najib Miqati for his efforts to form the cabinet despite the various pressure he faced, Daouq said in a statement.

“Since the signing of the Taef Accord and to this day, we had been accustomed to Syria intervening in the government formation process, but it didn’t this time, proving that we are capable of resolving our affairs among ourselves,” Suleiman noted.

“Sacrifices have to be made to save the country through adhering to democracy in various elections … and respecting the army as it remains the main national institution responsible for fortifying the nation,” he continued.

The president also commended Speaker Nabih Berri’s sacrificing of a Shiite minister in the cabinet lineup in favor of a Sunni one.


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