Salam Meets Berri, Hopes New Government Pleases All Sides
Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam reiterated on Monday his keenness to achieve national interests in his mission to form a new government.
He said after holding talks with Speaker Nabih Berri: “I hope that the new cabinet pleases all political powers.”
“I am not hasty in my efforts, but I do not want to take too long in forming a new government,” he told reporters at Ain el-Tineh.
“We are in need of a new government because a caretaker one will only weaken Lebanon,” stressed Salam.
He added that Lebanon is passing through a difficult period that requires a new government, hoping that lawmakers would reach an agreement over a new parliamentary electoral law during Wednesday's parliament session.
The premier-designate reiterated his goal to form a cabinet that will oversee the elections, which are set for June 16.
Media reports said Monday that he was seeking the establishment of a de facto cabinet, which would allegedly prompt the Hizbullah-led March 8 camp to take street action in protest.
The alliance has asked for veto power in the new government and sought to name its own ministers despite the rejection of Salam.
Berri meanwhile told As Safir newspaper Monday the announcement of a de facto cabinet ahead of Wednesday's parliamentary session will have negative repercussions on it and end the possibility of reaching consensus over a new electoral law.
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