PM Salam chairs cabinet session at Grand Serail

Prime Minister Tammam Salam chaired on Thursday a session for the cabinet at the Grand Serail

Following the session, Minister of Information Ramzi Jreij said that PM Salam reiterated his call for the election of a new president, noting that the continued presidential vacuum would strip the state of its head.

Jreij also quoted Salam as saying that the country's national interest must be put above all else, urging leaders to exert efforts to fill the presidential vacuum without any further delay.

Lebanon has been plunged into a presidential vacuum after Michel Sleiman's mandate ended on May 25 with rival political parties still divided over a new leader.

The minister also noted that the Committee Crisis is following up on the Arsal abducted soldiers, adding that the committee will continue its efforts to secure the release of the troops.

“The negotiations are tough, but we hope they will lead to their release,” he added.

The hostage troops and policemen were captured when jihadists from the Nusra Front and the Islamic State militant groups briefly overran the border town of Arsal in August and engaged in fierce battles with the Lebanese army.

Four captives have so far been executed, and the jihadists have threatened to kill the remaining hostages unless there is a deal to free Islamist prisoners in Lebanon.

On another note, sources told LBCI that the issue of waste management was briefly discussed during the session before it was postponed to another session.

The universities file was also deferred to another session after Minister of Defense Samir Moqbel voiced objections in this regards.