Salam Shrugs Off Hizbullah Campaign, Says Cabinet Constitutional when Decree Signed
Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam has shrugged off criticism about the non-constitutionality of a de facto government, saying the new cabinet would be constitutional immediately after the president signs the decree.
In remarks to al-Joumhouria newspaper published on Saturday, Salam said: “Any discussion about a neutral or non neutral cabinet is political.”
“The objections to it are also political,” he said.
“The constitution gives the cabinet a constitutional status as soon as the president signs its (formation) decree, and whether it gets parliament's vote of confidence or not,” Salam added.
He told the daily that new consultations for the formation of the cabinet would be launched if his government failed to get the vote of confidence.
“I am still open for discussion and coordination with everyone but they should decide whether they want to protect their interests and their power or the interests of the nation,” Salam said about the rival parties.
His remarks came as several members of the Hizbullah-led March 8 alliance launched a campaign against President Michel Suleiman over reports he would agree with Salam to form a fait accompli government.
Salam has blamed the March 8 and 14 camps and the conditions imposed by them on his failure to come up with a line-up. He was appointed in April.
Al-Mustaqbal bloc MP Jean Oghassabian told al-Joumhouria that the media has speculated about a fait accompli government.
But it hasn't been translated into deeds, he said.
“The reaction of Hizbullah is natural because it resorts to intimidation and threats particularly if the cabinet was formed without its approval,” the lawmaker added.
Hizbullah MP Mohammed Raad hinted lately that the party would not hand any portfolio to any new minister in a cabinet which “lacks political backing.”
The party's deputy leader, Sheikh Naim Qassem, has also insisted on the formation of a cabinet in which the March 8 and 14 alliances would get nine ministers each and neutrals six ministers.
However, such a government line-up is rejected by the March 14 alliance.
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