Salam Slams March 8, Says he's Not Responsible for Cabinet Formation Impasse
Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam denied accusations by the March 8 coalition that he is responsible for the cabinet formation impasse, pointing out that he didn't set any previous conditions.
“I am basing my decision on the nation's best interest. I only care about forming a productive cabinet,” Salam said in an interview with As Safir newspaper.
He expressed fear that there “might be a previous decision to block the government formation,” noting that there “are some parties that prefer that the vacuum continues.”
Salam expressed surprise that the March 8 coalition reject that he would be their guarantee as he belongs to the rival March 14 alliance, reiterating that he would resign if any main bloc quits the government.
“If I was still a part of the March 14 coalition would I give such a commitment,” the PM-designate told the daily.
He revealed that was criticized by some sides in the March 14 camp over his stance.
Salam, since his appointment to form a cabinet in April, is seeking the formation of a 24-member cabinet in which the March 8, March 14 and centrists camps would each get eight ministers.
He is also rejecting granting veto power to any power, which the March 8 camp has been demanding.
The March 14 coalition is meanwhile calling for keeping Hizbullah out of the cabinet over its role in Syria's war.
Salam called on the political foes to felicitate the formation of the government, describing the 8-8-8 formula as “realistic.”
He also urged Hizbullah to deal with him in a different manner.
Salam praised Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's recent speech, considering that it was “good.”
However, Salam criticized Nasrallah's remarks that he would personally fight in Syria.
A defiant Nasrallah said on Friday he himself was ready to go and fight in Syria against radical Islamists.
“Military intervention will negatively impact Lebanon,” Salam told As Safir.
He noted that all the Lebanese are against takfiris and no one justifies their acts.
The official stressed that the blast that hit Beirut's southern suburbs neighborhood of Ruwais “requires all political parties to facilitate the formation of his cabinet and compromise.”
The Ruwais blast claimed the lives of 27 people and wounded more than 336 other.
The casualty toll is the highest in Lebanon since a massive car bomb attack on the Beirut seafront killed former prime minister Rafik Hariri and 22 others in February 2005.
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