Salam Says Contacts Ongoing with March 8 over Cabinet Impasse
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam said on Monday that contacts are ongoing with the March 8 coalition, in particular with Speaker Nabih Berri and PSP chief MP Walid Jumblat.
Sources close to Salam hailed in comments published in local newspapers his latest meeting with President Michel Suleiman, considering that it was a new push to the ongoing consultation over the formation of the cabinet process.
Salam was tasked by President Michel Suleiman, after caretaker PM Najib Miqati's cabinet resigned in March, with forming a new cabinet after he received the support of 124 out of 128 MPs during binding consultations at Baabda palace.
But conflicting demands have so far prevented the formation of the government.
“A new government must be formed swiftly to safeguard the country from all the security violations,” the sources said.
“We can't waste any more time,” the sources added.
Salam 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.
On Saturday, Suleiman considered that forming a new cabinet and taking part in national dialogue sessions “would prevent divisions and fighting in the country.”
He also urged political and religious figures in the country to adopt a "moderate" approach in their speeches.
26 August 2013, 15:55
04
@the1, I am afraid you've been watching the same movie for such a long time it has left an imprint which keeps you from calling it like it is. I am not criticizing you, rather I empathize. My friend, there comes a time when folks like Salam have to make a decision to either have a bowel movement or get off the pot so another person can have a go (I am trying to keep the post clean so it doesn't get deleted, but I think you get the point). It take courage to do what needs to be done and forming a government devoid of M8 and M14 is what is needed now to save this country from this nightmare. There is no room for fear and hesitation, Salam must submit his formula with names outside M and let the chips fall where they may. As to the "silver linings", I stopped believing in Santa when I was eleven...now is the time for real men to do real courageous work...save the country and the people.
26 August 2013, 16:49
00
Bandou and Phoenix, Tammam can not form a cabinet of technocrats as Jumblatt will block it when it goes to parliament, and he is unfortunately the king maker right now... If it was up to Tammam he would have formed a government of technocrats the first week he was designated.
26 August 2013, 16:44
00
Bandoul and phoenix, Tammam Salam can not form a cabinet of technocrats even if that is what he wishes most of all because Jumblatt will block it when it goes to Parliament. So what is the point in that? He is a great man but they have tied his hands behind his back.
26 August 2013, 19:38
02
@min-canada, it is precisely the point that the opportunity is NOW to form a government not beholden to any foreign power regardless of the winner of this foreign conflict. This way we can be at equal distance from all sides. For as long as I can remember our government was formed outside our country. How has that worked out for us in the past? Isn't it time for a new approach? My big brother @the1 is very wise because he lived the horrors of past political mistakes...
