Salam Meets King Salman: Appointment of Civil Servants Shouldn't Cripple Cabinet

Prime Minister Tammam Salam held talks on Wednesday in Saudi Arabia with King Salman bin Abdul Aziz, who emphasized the need for Lebanese factions to end their country's political deadlock.

King Salman held talks behind doors with Salam, who was accompanied by a ministerial delegation.

Held at royal palace in Jeddah, the closed-door meeting was attended by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef.

King Salman expressed to Salam his keenness on strengthening the Lebanese state and its institutions.

He called on Lebanese to “exert all efforts to end their current political crisis and elect a consensual president.”

“Such a step will benefit Lebanon and the entire region,” he remarked.

Furthermore, the monarch added that the recent statements by some Lebanese sides against the kingdom “will not affect the fraternal ties between Saudi Arabia and Lebanon.”

Salam's talks with the king were preceded by a wide meeting that was attended by Saudi Crown Prince, Defense Minister Samir Moqbel, Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq, Health Minister Wael Abou Faour, Youth and Sport Minister Abdul Mutalleb Hennawi, and Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil.

Salam is also accompanied on his visit by Higher Defense Council chief Mohammed Kheir and head of the Council for Reconstruction and Development Nabil al-Jisr.

The Lebanese delegation will return to Beirut on Wednesday night.

Later, head of al-Mustaqbal Movement and former Prime Minister Saad Hariri held a luncheon in honor of Salam and the accompanying delegation.

The prime minister had criticized earlier attempts to paralyze the cabinet over the appointments of top ranking security and military officials at state posts.

“We understand that differences occur over a delicate national affair, but the government shouldn't be crippled over an employee,” he told reporters during a chat in Saudi Arabia.

The premier stressed that “it would be an unprecedented move... We previously faced cabinet challenges and dealt with them,” pointing out that the government would only be considered resigned if a third of its ministers stepped down.

Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun threatened Tuesday that his ministers will boycott cabinet sessions until the appointments dilemma is resolved.

He slammed the cabinet, saying that the government “should go on vacation” until September if it will not appoint new security and military chiefs.

Aoun has repeatedly warned the government against extending the terms of the army and Internal Security Forces chiefs, deeming it illegal.

He allegedly backs the appointment of his son-in-law, Commando Regiment chief Brig. Gen. Chamel Roukoz, as army commander.

Military chief Gen. Jean Qahwaji is set to retire on September 23, while Internal Security Forces chief Major General Ibrahim Basbous is set to retire on June 4.

“Tomorrow is another day,” Salam said when asked about Thursday's cabinet session.

On the meeting between Aoun and Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea the day before, the PM voiced support to all attempts to bridge the gap between Lebanese rivals, expressing hope that talks would continue.

The LF and the FPM inked a landmark declaration of intent on Tuesday during a surprise visit by Geagea to Rabieh, in a move aimed at ending around 30 years of animosity between the two Christian parties.

Salam arrived in Saudi Arabia for an official visit during which he is expected to seek a mending of ties with the kingdom after relations were soured by recent remarks on Yemen.

H.K./M.T.