Salam Calls for Partnership between Legislative, Executive Branches

Prime Minister Tammam Salam said Friday that partnership between the legislative and executive authorities was necessary to confront major political events.

Following talks with Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain el-Tineh, Salam said: “We are living in difficult circumstances … which require continuous consultations.”

“Partnership and contacts between the legislative and executive authorities are important,” he told journalists.

A day after his cabinet approved a security plan for the northern city of Tripoli and northern areas of the Bekaa Valley, Salam hoped the government would be able to limit security incidents.

He also expected “injustice to end,” saying perpetrators should be jailed to “comfort the people and create stability in the country.”

Such a stability would “pave way for several achievements and mainly holding the presidential polls.”

“If the country was unstable, then we wouldn't be able to hold the polls in an effective way,” he said.

Berri is inquiring the parliamentary blocs on their intentions for the elections, Salam said in reference to contacts that the speaker is making with MPs and political leaders to have successful polls.

The speaker has also formed a three-member committee of his parliamentary bloc that is touring politicians to guarantee a quorum for a legislative session that Berri should call for to elect a new head of state.

Asked about the results of the committee's talks, Salam said: “It is up to Speaker Berri to inform you about that.”

President Michel Suleiman's six-year term ends on May 25.