Salam: I Will Step down if Parliament's Term is Extended
Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam stated on Wednesday that he might resign if the parliament's term was extended.
Tammam's decision comes shortly after the parliament referred a draft law to President Michel Suleiman that calls for suspending the deadline for submitting nominations for the parliamentary elections.
"I might step down as the PM-designate if the parliament's term was extended,” Salam told Future TV.
He pointed out: “My stand is in harmony with that of the majority of lawmakers and with Suleiman's stance”.
Meanwhile, Suleiman announced later on Wednesday that he will sign the draft law issued by the parliament.
"I will sign the referred suggestion in order to allow time for consensus over a new electoral law,” he tweeted.
On the formation of a new cabinet, Salam's sources stressed to LBCI television on the need for the new government to be homogeneous among its members.
The establishment of a “heavily political” government will only mean that it will be burdened by the demands of various political powers that will consequently prevent it from properly carrying out its duties, they explained.
The premier-designate revealed to Future TV that he will hold talks with the president on Thursday to discuss the cabinet's formation.
The sources quoted Salam as saying: “I will step down from my post after the elections are held.”
“Our mission will be over if the elections are not held,” he added.
“I was appointed for the central goal to stage the parliamentary elections,” he remarked.
“If they want to extend parliament's term, then they should come up with a government to oversee such a step,” he said.
Salam concluded on Wednesday two-day consultations with parliamentary blocs over the formation of a new government.
He hoped after the talks that the consensus over his nomination last week will carry on in the process to form a new cabinet.
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