Salam Voices Hope 'Consensual Spirit' Would be Mirrored in Policy Statement
Prime Minister Tammam Salam expressed hope on Saturday that the “consensual atmosphere” between the political arch-foes that resulted in his cabinet's lineup would be reflected on the ministerial policy statement.
“The panel drafting the ministerial policy achieved progress in its work process,” Salam said in a statement.
On Friday, the panel held its third meeting at the Grand Serail as the controversial “army-people-resistance equation” remained a point of contention among the committee members.
PM Salam chaired the committee's first meeting on Wednesday after it was formed Tuesday during the cabinet's first session.
Salam has announced that the policy statement will be “consensual and concise and will focus on (the country's) priorities prior to the election of a new president.”
The Premier pointed out that the formation of the cabinet improved slightly the situation in the country, adding that the situation will be better if the cabinet was granted the parliament's vote of confidence.
“The biggest challenge facing the cabinet is carrying out the presidential elections within constitutional time-frame,” Salam said.
He remarked that if his government was able to successfully carry out the presidential elections will fortify the country's democratic system, which will “positively impact” the upcoming parliamentary elections.
President Michel Suleiman's tenure ends in May 2014, but the constitutional period to elect a new head of state begins on March 25, two months prior to the expiration of Suleiman’s mandate.
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