Salam's Cabinet Faces First Test of Deal on Policy Statement

The newly-formed government of Prime Minister Tammam Salam faces this week the first test to form a committee tasked with drafting the policy statement, which could be a source of contention between the rival parties.

The first cabinet session will be held under President Michel Suleiman at Baabda Palace on Tuesday to form the committee, whose mission is to draft the policy statement in less than a month.

An Nahar daily quoted officials close to Salam as saying that there is an intention to draft a statement that would reflect the main role of the government to prepare for the president elections.

President Michel Suleiman's six-year term ends in May this year.

The newspaper also quoted informed sources as saying that the committee would avoid controversial issues and focus on major topics, including the presidential polls and ways to overcome the security and economic challenges.

But it remains to be seen whether the statement would not be a source of controversy.

The March 14 alliance had been calling for the adoption of the Baabda Declaration as the basis of the statement. But the Hizbullah-led March 8 camp wants to include in it “the army, people and resistance” formula as with previous governments.

Salam officially begins his work at the Grand Serail Monday, two days after he unveiled the 24-member all-embracing government.

Handover ceremonies will also take place between outgoing and new ministers at various ministries.