Salam Looking Forward for 'Made in Lebanon' President

Prime Minister Tammam Salam expressed hope that political arch-foes would elect a “made in Lebanon” president, hailing the stances of Saudi Arabia to support Lebanon in all its critical phases.

“The presidential election is a local affair,” Salam, who is currently on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, told An Nahar newspaper published on Tuesday.

He hoped that the rival parties would elect a “made in Lebanon” president similar to his cabinet.

Parliament has so far failed to elect a new president over differences between the March 8 and 14 alliances.

Asked about his visit to the kingdom, Salam said that “it's normal to kick start his foreign trips by traveling” there.

“At this stage we find out that Saudi Arabia is standing by our side,” the premier said.

Salam traveled to the monarchy on Monday at the head of a delegation on his first official foreign trip since the formation of his cabinet in February. He is expected to meet with Saudi King Abdullah and prominent Saudi officials.

The PM will tackle the ongoing Syrian refugees crisis and several other issues linked to the general developments locally and in the region.

Al-Mustaqbal movement leader MP Saad Hariri met Salam after he arrived in Jeddah and held a dinner banquet in honor of the premier and the accompanying delegation.

H.K.

G.K.