Jamaa Islamiya Holds Talks with PM-Designate: Salam Wants Cabinet with Non-Provocative Figures

The Jamaa Islamiya on Thursday revealed that Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam is looking to form a small cabinet whose members are not “provocative” figures.

"The PM-designate wants a cabinet with ministers who are not nominated for the parliamentary elections,” the Jamaa added in a released statement after meeting with Salam at his residence in Beirut's al-Mousaytbeh neighborhood.

"He also does not favor any provocative figures in the cabinet."

Jamaa MP Imad al-Hout was quoted explaining to LBCI television that by this, the premier-designate means that he does not want current or former ministers in the cabinet.

The party wished that the cabinet's formation will go as fast as Salam's nomination did.

"This would reflect in achieving what people are looking forward to, like holding the parliamentary elections and dealing with instability in politics, economy and security-related matters.”

The Jamaa added: “Salam is keen on these priorities and wants to form a cabinet that is able to fulfill its duty through communicating with all factions.”

Salam was tasked by President Michel Suleiman over the weekend to form the new cabinet after he received the support of 124 out of 128 MPs.

He concluded the unbinding consultations with lawmakers on Wednesday, reiterating that he still holds onto the formation of a national interest government whose main mission will be to supervise the parliamentary polls.

However, Salam now faces a challenge in the cabinet's formation after the majority of March 14 alliance MPs called for the formation of a technocrat government whose members were not candidates for the elections.

But the Hizbullah-led March 8 coalition demanded the formation of a national unity cabinet or a political government to supervise the polls.