Salam from Kuwait: Security Never Been This Stable, Cabinet Dispute Resolved

Prime Minister Tammam Salam on Sunday described the security situation in Lebanon as stable and announced that the dispute over the methodology of cabinet's work during presidential void has been resolved.

“The security situation in Lebanon has never been this stable,” Salam said when asked about the Dahr al-Baydar blast during a press conference in Kuwait, where he arrived earlier in the day for an official visit.

The premier described the blast that killed a person and wounded over 30 others as an isolated incident and not part of a new wave of bombings in the country.

“We hail the Lebanese Army and security agencies over their active role in foiling the terrorists' plots in Lebanon,” he said.

Salam pointed out that “there are no terrorist groups in Lebanon but rather cells.”

Asked about the UAE's warning to its citizens not to visit Lebanon, Salam called for reversing the decision and urged Gulf states not to be “harsh” on Lebanon.

“We came to Kuwait with a unified Lebanese stance that resembles the situation in the government of national interest, the coalition government that comprises all political forces which have agreed on consolidating security and stability,” Salam stated.

“The relation with Kuwait is old and solid,” he added, thanking Kuwait for "its support and assistance to Lebanon."

Upon his arrival in the Gulf state earlier in the day, Salam had said that "the dispute over the cabinet has been resolved and dialogue is an essential part of our work at this critical time."

Salam is expected to call cabinet to session next week given the recent agreement over its methodology, reported the daily An Nahar on Sunday.

It said that contacts have been intensified in recent days to hold the session on Thursday.

Salam is likely to make his call on Monday.

The agreement over the methodology calls for the formation of a government cell comprised of ministers, who are tasked by their colleagues in various parliamentary blocs, to sign, with the premier, any decree that requires the signature of the president, explained An Nahar.

The dispute over the government's methodology arose after the term of former President Michel Suleiman ended in May with lawmakers failing to elect his successor.

In addition, the agreement over the government's functioning also calls for distributing the cabinet's agenda 72 hours before the session is held.

Ministers are given 48 hours to withdraw any issue they deem to be controversial, which will consequently eliminate any potential causes for a dispute once the cabinet convenes.

M.T./Y.R.