Salam's National Interest Government: No Monopoly on Portfolios

Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam's priority for a "national interest government" blocks the appointment of ministers who are planning to run in the parliamentary elections and prevents a portfolio from being monopolized by a single sect, officials close to Salam said Sunday.

The officials told An Nahar newspaper that the PM-designate's priority is to set the shape and identity of the new cabinet.

Salam's slogan of national interest is based on the formation of a medium-sized government that excludes electoral candidates, the officials said. They also stressed that the cabinet will include a “mixture of politicians” who will be handed portfolios in a way that prevents a single confession from controlling them.

Salam's difficult job starts on Tuesday when he launches consultations with parliamentary blocs on the shape of the government and the division of portfolios.

Though lawmakers from across the spectrum strongly endorsed Salam - with 124 lawmakers in the 128-seat legislature voting in favor of his nomination – sources have warned that he faces a daunting challenge of cabinet formation.

Deputy Speaker Farid Makari expressed fears in remarks to An Nahar that the Hizbullah-led March 8 alliance would put obstacles to his task.

“It would be wise for Salam to be flexible,” he said.

Salam set three priorities immediately after the formation of his government. He said rival parties should agree on a new electoral law, hold the parliamentary polls and control the security situation.

In remarks to An Nahar, he also set the economic, social and financial situation as priorities.

The premier-designate hoped for willingness by all sides to facilitate his task to cobble together the cabinet, the same way they nominated him during the binding consultations with President Michel Suleiman on Friday and Saturday.

"I start from the necessity of taking Lebanon out of divisions and political tensions that were reflected in the security situation," Salam said in his first public statement after being chosen.

The 68-year-old lawmaker and former culture minister is widely seen as a consensus figure but politically leans towards the March 14 alliance.