Prime Minister Tammam Salam said on Wednesday that the lawmakers’ failure to elect a president for the country has caused many problems regarding the work of the government. Salam’s remarks were made at the launch of the Arab Forum on Food Safety at the headquarters of the General Union for Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for Arab Countries in Beirut. As for the food safety dossier, PM Salam said that the campaign comes as part of the government's work. “The citizen's food has improved and is subject to the implementation of harsh standards,” he added. Health Minister Wael Abou Faour had launched in October a campaign aimed at improving food standards across Lebanon. A number of restaurants, slaughterhouses, warehouses, and other institutions were closed for failing to meet the necessary health requirements. Many of them have however imposed reforms and have since reopened.