Salam Calls on Officials to Facilitate Formation of Cabinet, Says Not Holding Onto Post
Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam stressed on Wednesday that he isn't holding onto the post, denying media reports about the distribution of portfolios.
“We seek for a cabinet whose members are not after personal gains,” Salam told his visitors.
He urged leaders to facilitate the formation of his government, reiterating rejection to the monopolization of portfolios by a single sect.
Earlier on Wednesday, Salam said in comments published in As Safir newspaper that all parties were “informed to propose their candidates and I am waiting for their suggestions.”
According to sources close to the PM-designate, Salam and President Michel Suleiman will select from the proposals the competent and qualified candidates.
“The candidates should not be affiliated with any party nor running for the (upcoming parliamentary) elections,” the sources pointed out.
An Nahar newspaper reported that Salam has so far failed to finalize a clear perspective on the formation of the cabinet, noting that Suleiman is a key player in the matter.
The daily said that the president is keen to preserve a political and sectarian balance in the formation process as the cabinet should be capable of garnering parliament's vote of confidence and be productive.
Sources told An Nahar that Salam is expected to handle the foreign ministry by himself, saying that the PM-designate might form his cabinet in a week.
On Tuesday, Salam stressed that he will not be hasty in forming a new government “but the process should not be slow either because the country needs a cabinet.”
He made his remarks after holding talks with Suleiman at the Baabda Palace.
Al-Liwaa newspaper said on Wednesday that Hizbullah insists on the formation of a political government to contribute “positively” in the process.
“If Salam is holding onto the formation of a technocrat, de-facto or any other cabinet then the March 8 coalition will reject it,” sources told the newspaper.
The sources noted that any other form of governments will “harm the national interests and stability.”
Salam has repeatedly said that his new government will be aimed at staging and overseeing the parliamentary elections.
The 68-year-old lawmaker and former culture minister is widely seen as a consensus figure but politically leans towards the March 14 alliance.
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