Salam Says Successful Presidential Polls Consolidate Lebanon's Democracy

Prime Minister Tammam Salam was optimistic on Monday that consensus on his government's policy statement would improve the conditions of the Lebanese and that successful presidential elections would consolidate the country's democracy.

In remarks to As Safir newspaper, Salam said: “The formation of the cabinet turned the situation from very bad to less bad.”

“If we succeed to agree on the policy statement and receive (parliament's) vote of confidence, then we will surely move the country to a better place and make it qualified for improvement in several fields.”

“The success of the presidential elections would pave way for bigger opportunities for Lebanon … to consolidate its democratic system and constitutional practices,” he said.

Holding the polls on time would reflect positively on the parliamentary elections too, Salam added.

President Michel Suleiman's six-year term ends in May. The parliament should start holding sessions on March 25 to elect a new head of state.

But Salam's cabinet has not yet finalized its policy statement to prepare for the polls. The committee tasked with drafting it will hold one final meeting on Monday to agree on the blueprint.

The government will then send it to parliament for a vote of confidence.

Salam told As Safir that discussions inside the committee are being held in an atmosphere of understanding.

“People want salvation and an end to tension,” he said.

According to An Nahar daily published on Monday, the members of the committee have agreed to distance themselves from the controversial “army-people-resistance” equation and the Baabda Declaration and rather stick to stressing “the right of Lebanon and the Lebanese in resisting Israel.”