Hollande Urges International Support for New Cabinet as UK, Spain Congratulate Salam

French President Francois Hollande welcomed on Saturday the formation of a new cabinet in Lebanon, urging the international community to support it.

“Today Lebanon has a new cabinet with full powers to face the challenges awaiting the country,” Hollande said in a released statement.

He continued: “And it is very important that the international community provides support for the council of ministers, and these efforts include the works of the countries that will soon meet in Paris over Lebanon.”

“We hope everyone in the country would assume responsibility during the upcoming constitutional deadlines awaiting Lebanon, especially during the presidential elections.”

The French president also stressed on his country “continuous support for Lebanon,” praising ex-Prime Minister Najib Miqati’s commitment to international resolutions.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague congratulated on Saturday Prime Minister Tammam Salam on the announcement of new cabinet, hoping it would work on preserving Lebanon’s neutrality towards the Syrian conflict.

“The UK looks forward to working with Salam and his new government as they seek to address the major challenges and opportunities now facing the country,” Hague said in a released statement.

He elaborated: “These challenges include the timely holding of presidential elections, ensuring security, combating terrorism, helping the hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees which Lebanon is generously hosting, and maintaining Lebanon’s neutrality in relation to the Syria conflict.”

Hague also paid tribute to outgoing PM Najib Miqati for “all his work to keep Lebanon stable in turbulent times.”

“We will continue to provide our full support to the Lebanese authorities in pursuit of peace and prosperity for Lebanon and the region,” the statement stressed.

Meanwhile, the Spanish cabinet also felicitated the different factions in the country on reaching consensus and forming the “long-awaited” cabinet.

“We congratulate President Michel Suleiman and premier Salam on forming the cabinet that would enable Lebanon to reach the right answers for all ending issues in the country and prepare for the upcoming presidential elections,” a statement released buy the Spanish embassy in Lebanon added.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmi also congratulated the Lebanese on the cabinet's formation.

“This is a step that reflects consensus between different political factions in the country to push Lebanon forward towards more stability,” he expressed.

Salam finally announced on Saturday the formation of a 24-minister cabinet, ten months and a week after his appointment.