Salam Says he Has Patience, Hints will Form Cabinet End of July
Premier-designate Tammam Salam revealed on Thursday that he would likely form his government by the end of the month despite a freeze in the cooperation of the involved parties in his attempts to come up with a cabinet line-up.
In remarks to An Nahar newspaper, Salam said he will be patient with the different political parties that have been stalling in their cooperation with him.
But asked whether reports that he had put a deadline to form the cabinet end of July were true, Salam said: “Maybe even before that date.”
An Nahar said that the Premier-designate is facing the criticism against him “calmly.”
Sources close to Salam hinted Tuesday that he would announce a “fait accompli” government.
The freeze in the cabinet formation came against the backdrop of a dispute between Speaker Nabih Berri and caretaker Premier Najib Miqati, who has refused to attend a parliamentary session amid a resigned government.
The row on the constitutionality of the session that Berri had call for on Monday erupted after the March 14 alliance bloc MPs and the Change and Reform bloc of MP Michel Aoun refused to attend it.
Berri postponed the three-day session to July 16 after March 14 and Miqati claimed that the speaker cannot ask parliament to convene to discuss not important issues amid a resigned cabinet.
They said only the extension of the term of Army chief Gen. Jean Qahwaji was worthy to hold a session.
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