Salam Hopes Politicians Would Not Put Red Lines for Cabinet
Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam hoped on Saturday that Lebanon's political parties would not set red lines to his cabinet formation efforts despite the “pressure” that they are exerting on him.
“I hope there wouldn't be red lines but there is pressure and insistence by everyone,” Salam said following talks with President Michel Suleiman at Baabda Palace.
“More than 5 months have passed (since my appointment) but the circumstances prevented the formation of the cabinet,” lamented Salam.
He hoped he would keep his promises to the people, saying he would not give up his mission and “continue to confront all obstacles.”
“The formation of governments is not an easy task,” he said, adding that the tension among the rival parties in addition to several other problems have complicated his task.
“I had hoped to see a line-up before Suleiman's trip to New York but there were several obstacles that prevented” the cabinet formation, the PM-designate said.
Salam reiterated that the formation of the government is part of the constitutional authority of the premier-designate in cooperation with the president.
His remark came in response to a question by a reporter on an initiative made by Speaker Nabih Berri to call for a five-day conclave at Baabda Palace under Suleiman with the attendance of Salam to discuss several controversial issues, including the form and policy statement of the cabinet.
Salam warned he would “resort to his options at the appropriate time.”
He wished Suleiman luck in his meetings in New York and said the president will follow up the issue of the cabinet formation after his return.
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