Salam Calls for Dialogue to End Country's Crises, Urges Arab Banks Aid in Refugee Burden

Prime Minister Tammam Salam called on Thursday on rival parties to resume dialogue and prioritize the national interest after urging Arab and Lebanese bankers to help Lebanon confront the crisis of Syrian refugees and hoped that politicians would be “infected” with the success of the banking sector.

“We should prioritize national interests and resume dialogue to end political deadlock,” Salam said in a speech at the Grand Serail on the occasion of Independence Day.

He noted that this year's 71st anniversary of independence comes amid presidential vacuum and while soldiers and policemen are in captivity, referring to servicemen abducted by jihadists on the outskirts of the northeastern border town of Arsal in August.

“Preserving the country's independence is a challenge, in particular amid this difficult stage where we are facing tremendous challenges.”

Salam said that the state's democratic institutions are obstructed and the political life is paralyzed as dialogue between the political arch-foes is cut.

“Sharp political differences and the competition on power shouldn't ruin the state,” the premier said ahead of a cabinet session at the Grand Serail.

He called on lawmakers to swiftly elect a new president after they extended their term as flexibility will bridge the gap between the rival parties.

“We should be seeking a breakthrough to end the presidential deadlock as history will not have mercy on us if we leave the country paralyzed,” Salam added.

The PM noted that any “sign of openness and any initiative should be treated in a positive manner.”

Lebanon is without a president because of differences among the parliamentary blocs on a compromise head of state. President Michel Suleiman's six-year term ended in May.

Salam expressed concern over the security situation in the country, considering that the Lebanese army and security forces have been able to implement limited security across the country.

“Our battle with terrorism is difficult,” he said, noting that the Lebanese “should fortify the local immunity and commit to the dissociation policy.”

Rival parties unanimously adopted during a national dialogue session in June 2012 the Baabda Declaration. It calls for Lebanon to disassociate itself from regional crises, most notably the one in Syria.

Earlier Salam urged Arab and Lebanese bankers to help Lebanon confront the crisis of Syrian refugees and hoped that politicians would be “infected” with the success of the banking sector.

“Arab and Lebanese bankers should take serious initiatives to stand by the Lebanese state and assist it in carrying the burden of refugees,” Salam told the Annual Arab Banking Conference that was held at the Phoenicia Intercontinental Hotel in Beirut.

He said at the opening ceremony of the conference that “the Lebanese treasury is suffering from the burden of the displaced” whose numbers have reached around 1.5 million.

About 3.3 million people have fled Syria during the 3½-year civil war. Lebanon, with a population of just 4.5 million, has taken in about a third of them. Millions more are displaced inside Syria.

Due to the strained resources and the threat to political stability, Lebanon last month began rejecting all but "exceptional" refugee cases.

“The success of the banking sector goes back … to the wise policy of the Central Bank that has organized the sector with the best standards,” said Salam in his opening speech.

“Other economic sectors have survived crises and this is a sign that Lebanese businessmen have faith in Lebanon's future,” he said.

But Salam warned that the situation could not remain the same because of the regional crises that are affecting Lebanon.

He hailed the bankers for “working despite the unending differences among politicians.”

“We are proud of you and congratulate you on your achievements,” he said, expressing hope that “the contagion of success would move from the world of finance to the world of politics.”

Salam reiterated that the rival lawmakers should swiftly elect a new head of state to end the vacuum at the country's top Christian post.