Salam: Officials Must Rise above Disputes, Return to Dialogue and Elect President

Prime Minister Tammam Salam stressed on Friday that politics in Lebanon should return to the “right path” by serving the interests of the people.

He said: “We must restore normalcy to our state institutions, return to dialogue, and elect a new president.”

He made his speech during the opening of Beirut's 58th annual International Arabic Book Fair.

He commenced his address by mourning the deaths of iconic singer Sabah, who passed away on Wednesday, and renowned author Said Akl, who passed away on Friday.

“We are proud to host this fair, especially in Beirut that has witnessed such hardships,” said the premier.

He saluted the free thinkers and writers at a time when “we are witnessing such dark mentalities.”

He quoted his father, former PM Saeb Salam, who said that “politics paves the way to ignorance.”

“We are living in such an age of ignorance,” he lamented.

Politics should serve national interests, not personal ones, Salam stressed.

“This way, we can confront the bitter reality we are living in,” the prime minister added.

“This in turn will lead the way to normal political life. We must rise above our disputes, restore normalcy to our institutions, return to dialogue, and elect a new president,” he said.

“We must have mercy on our nation,” he continued.

“Lebanon will remain at the forefront of forward and free thinking thanks to it pioneering thinkers and artists,” he declared.

Lebanon has been without a president since May when the term of Michel Suleiman ended.

Ongoing disputes between the March 8 and 14 camps over a compromise candidate have thwarted the elections.

M.T.

Y.R.