Salam says he's not a 'mailbox' and govt. is not a 'cake'
Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam has announced that the government formation process is moving forward with “firm steps” and that he is “tirelessly” working with President Joseph Aoun to form a new cabinet without delay.
“I will not comment on everything that is being said about the new government, seeing as a lot of it, not to say most of it, especially as to portfolios and names, is a sort of speculation or rumors,” said Salam after meeting Aoun in Baabda.
“Like you all, I want the government as soon as possible, and I would like to stress that I’m committed to forming a government according to the constitutional mechanism. You may have noticed that the style of work is new, but we must all learn to fully respect the constitution,” Salam stated.
He added that it is his “duty” to “communicate and listen to all MPs and political forces,” but stressed that he is against “the distribution of quotas.”
“I have become more convinced of this and this makes me more keen on national partnership in the formation of the government, which should be based on competency, integrity and meeting citizens’ aspirations,” Salam said, reassruing that the government “won’t be delayed for months like the previous governments.”
Noting that he is communicating with parliamentary blocs because “the government has to win MPs’ (vote of) confidence,” Salam emphasized that he is “not a mailbox for the blocs to inform me of the numbers and names they want.”
“I talk to, consult with and listen to these blocs, but I’m the one forming the government and this is my responsibility, that’s why I have called for resorting to the constitution, and if this is a new approach, so be it, because I’m not ‘LibanPost.’”
Asked whether he has promised to give the finance portfolio to the Shiite Duo, Salam said: “I reiterate that I have not promised to give any portfolio to anyone. As for the finance portfolio, it is like the other portfolios: not an exclusive right to a certain sect but it also cannot be withheld from any sect.”
“As for the so-called sovereign portfolios (finance, foreign affairs, defense and interior), to me all portfolios are sovereign, and there are terms and expressions that we must gradually leave behind,” Salam added.
“This government is not a puzzle for each person to request three or four ministers and put them together so that it becomes ‘a cake that we eat later.’ Things are not like this,” the PM-designate underlined.
Source: Naharnet
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