REPORT: MP Hout meets PM designate Salam, discusses new government's form

               
MP Imad al-Hout, of the Jamaa Islamiya, met on Thursday with Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam at his residence in Msaytbeh.                 

Following the meeting, MP Hout said Salam suggested that the new government not include any ministers running for the upcoming elections or any current or former ministers.         

MP Hout quoted PM designate Salam's wishes of forming a "small scale government."                   

PM designate Salam also met with the European Union ambassador to Lebanon, Angelina Eichhorst who relayed the EU's support for the PM-Designate.        

Ambassador Eichhorst said following the meeting, that the EU remains committed to supporting Salam's in his mission.                            

President Michel Sleiman asked on Saturday April 6, MP Tamam Salam to form the new government.                                

Salam's main task will be to steer the fractious country towards a parliamentary election which is due in June but is now widely expected to face delays.                    

Mikati resigned last month after two fraught years in office during which he sought to contain sectarian tensions, street violence and economic fallout from the civil war raging in neighboring Syria.                            

His resignation came after a cabinet dispute with Hezbollah and its allies - who brought him to power in early 2011 - over extending the term of a top security official and preparations for the parliamentary vote.


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