Suleiman Calls on Rival Parties to Prioritize National Interest

President Michel Suleiman stressed on Friday that the current stage the country is passing through and the political and security developments compel everyone to have the necessary awareness and prioritize the national interest.

“The accelerated frequency of political and security developments locally and regionally impose on everyone to have the required awareness and prioritize the national interest,” Suleiman said.

Since the eruption of Syria's clashes in 2011, Lebanon has been witnessing several security incidents in Tripoli, along the Lebanese-Syrian border and in several other regions.

The latest was a car bomb attack that targeted Bir al-Abed neighborhood in Beirut's southern suburbs, which wounded 53 people.

The president called on political leaders to avert the any negative repercussions imposed by the conflict in the neighboring country, which obliges on the Lebanese to offer sacrifices.

Suleiman called on the swift formation of a responsible cabinet that is capable of confronting the challenges of the upcoming stage.

Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam is seeking to form a cabinet divided equally between the Lebanese foes and the centrists and rejects to grant the veto power to any party.

On Monday, the PM-designate said that there was still no progress in the formation of a new government and that a decision to step down was one of the available options.