Salam Expresses Surprise at Conditions Set on Policy Statement Ahead of Cabinet
Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam has expressed surprise at attempts to impose conditions on the policy statement before the formation of the new government.
In remarks to As Safir daily published on Monday, Salam said such conditions are unconstitutional.
He rejected preconditions on the approval of the policy statement ahead of the cabinet formation.
Salam said such conditions put obstacles to the deal struck between the rival parties on the new government.
The dispute between the March 8 and 14 alliances on the statement is one of the reasons delaying the line-up.
The Hizbullah-led March 8 camp says the policy statement should be addressed after the cabinet is formed. But the March 14 coalition wants the statement to be part of the deal struck between them to put together an all-embracing government.
March 14 is holding onto the Baabda Declaration rather than the people-army-resistance formula as with previous governments.
“Contacts are underway through envoys to convince the (rival) sides to facilitate the (cabinet) formation and then agree on the policy statement,” Salam told As Safir.
He denied that consultations are being made on the distribution of portfolios. “Things are still under discussion and there is some progress.”
Salam also welcomed al-Mustaqbal movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri's latest announcement that he was ready to share power with Hizbullah.
“Hariri's stance is responsible, it contributes to resolving the tense atmosphere and facilitates the cabinet formation,” he said.
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