Jumblat Urges Patience in Cabinet Formation but Appeals for Cooperation with Salam

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat has called for patience in the formation of the new government but urged the political parties to facilitate the task of Premier-designate Tammam Salam.

In remarks to As Safir daily published on Tuesday, Jumblat said: “There are nonstop contacts to bring viewpoints closer so that we could as soon as possible form a cabinet that suits the current circumstances.”

“There should be a bit of patience and we shouldn't forget past experiences when the formation of governments took a long time,” he said.

But the PSP chief reiterated that political parties should facilitate the mission of Salam who is allegedly waiting for the response of the Hizbullah-led March 8 coalition on his proposals.

Asked about a fait-accompli cabinet, Jumblat said: “The PM-designate has raised the slogan of a government of national interest and I have called for a national unity cabinet.”

“I don't think there is a difference between the two,” he added.

The PSP chief, who is a centrist, has said on several occasions that he would only participate in an all-embracing government.

He did not object to a proposal made by Salam to adopt a rotation in the portfolios, saying “this is something good and we would make a major progress if agreement is reached on it.”