Salam Denies March 14 Dictates, Vows Not to Form Cabinet 'Behind Back' of Parties

Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam denied on Thursday that the March 14 alliance and Saudi Arabia were dictating him the formation of the new government.

In remarks to As Safir daily, Salam said: “I will not respond to any accusation and will not bicker with anyone.”

“Everyone knew about my honesty and stances on the formation of the cabinet from the first day I carried out the parliamentary consultations,” he said.

“A campaign was launched against me that I sought to form a de facto government at a time when I was holding consultations with the (different) parties and hadn't taken any decision,” Salam told the newspaper.

He reiterated that he would not take any unilateral decision and “would not form any government behind the back of the main (political) parties.”

“I have vowed to preserve the resistance and resign before others if any constitutional dispute emerged,” Salam said in response to the demands of the March 8 alliance for veto power.

He also said a neutral cabinet and rotation in portfolios are beneficial for future governments.

“We should form a trustworthy cabinet that includes non-party members who are not provocative figures and not running in the elections,” he said. “They would be free from the obstacles of veto power.”

“These are my principles,” the premier-designate stressed. “Then why don't we give this formula a chance even for a limited period?” he wondered.

Salam stressed that the bickering parties could then “go back to their division of shares as they wish.”

“We tried national unity and one-sided cabinets and the results were disappointing,” he said.

“Why don't we learn from our experiences … and try other paths?” Salam asked.