REPORT: PM-Designate Salam meets with Former Prime Ministers

Prime Minister-Designate, Tammam Salam, launched Monday his official visits -as part of protocol measures- to all former heads of governments in Lebanon. These visits come ahead of consultations with parliamentary blocs regarding the formation of the future cabinet.

His first meeting was set with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who said that he discussed with Designate-PM Salam the recent developments in Lebanon as well as administrative issues that he faced when he held the position of Premier.                             

For his part, MP Salam said that he listened to Mikati’s point of view regarding the formation of the cabinet adding that he needs all "expertise" to face this challenge.                 

Former PM Rachid Soleh also met with PM-Designate at his residence in Ain el-Tinneh and discussed with him his vision regarding the formation of the upcoming cabinet.              

As part of his visits, MP Salam met with Former PM, Salim el-Hoss, where he declared his optimism in reaching positive results following the meeting.

For his part Former PM Hoss wished the PM-Designate Salam luck in this task, pointing out that it is not an easy duty. Hoss called on all Lebanese parties to cooperate "since Lebanon is passing through a difficult situation".

Hoss expressed his hope that the cabinet would be formed soon to maintain its duties stressing on the importance of holding the upcoming parliamentary elections on the basis of a fair electoral law that meets the aspirations of all Lebanese people.

Later on Monday, PM-Designate Tammam Salam said following a meeting with former Prime Minister, Change and reform Bloc Leader MP Michel Aoun the upcoming stage is long and difficult, expressing his hope that MP Aoun maintains the same consensus as in the nomination process.

PM-Designate Salam added that the cabinet’s main task is holding fair, and transparent elections.                  
From former PM Omar Karami’s house in Ramlah Baydah, PM-designate Salam stressed that he belongs to a deep-rooted, long national struggle movement, noting that he informed Karami of the major headlines and main steps toward the formation of a cabinet during this stage. He hoped that “the agreement reached during designation consultations will be also reached during the formation process.”               

Salam added that his cabinet will be that of the elections, holding the title of the national interest sought by all the Lebanese.               

For his part, Karami expressed his confidence that Salam will do his best to achieve stability and run the elections in a satisfactory manner.          

At the end of his tour, PM-designate Salam met with former PM Fouad Siniora where he stressed that “Siniora has a rich experience and has never given up on his responsibilities.”           

“We are in a difficult stage that urges all the Lebanese factions to deploy additional efforts, in order to lead the country to a safe harbor,” he said, noting that the main goal of his cabinet is holding the parliamentary elections.               

For his part, Siniora stated that the Future Movement will help the PM-designate in the process of forming the cabinet, hoping that the new government will meet the ambitions of the Lebanese people, ease tensions in the country, and hold the elections on time.           

On the other hand, Salam called former PM Saad Hariri to discuss the latest developments and the issues pertaining to the formation of a new cabinet.              

In this context, Hariri stressed that he fully supports Salam. 


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