Salam says he's 'flexible' but 'same standards to apply to everyone' in govt. formation

Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam has stressed that he “will not give up any of the standards” that he has announced for the government formation process, which are separation between parliamentary and ministerial posts and naming “competent” ministers who are not party members or intend to run in the parliamentary or municipal elections.

Addressing those who have voiced concerns, Salam called on them to hold him accountable should he breach these standards.

“I’m not the one obstructing or delaying the formation,” Salam added, following talks with President Joseph Aoun at the Baabda Palace.

Salam also reiterated that “no ministry is exclusive to a certain sect and no ministry is prohibited to a certain sect.”

He added that he wants to form a government that would “win the confidence of the Lebanese who are longing for reform, in order to pull Lebanon out of its deep and acute crises, regain its Arab credibility and rally international support for it.”

Emphasizing that he will not back down from the “standards,” the PM-designate also noted that he is “an advocate of flexibility in dealing with everyone.”

“I will maintain this approach and I’m confident that I will overcome the difficulties,” he added.