House Speaker, Nabih Berri welcomed, on Friday at the Second Presidency in Ain al-Tineh, Prime Minister-designate, Nawaf Salam to discuss the latest developments related the Lebanese cabinet formation.

After the meeting, Salam stated, “Speaker Berri and I are on the same page, following the constitution. I will remain in contact with him until the government is formed,” adding that parliamentary consultations did not conclude yesterday.

“I am continuing them today. There is a consensus among parliamentary blocs on the urgent need to revive the country and work toward its recovery, and I pledge to achieve this,” Salam noted, affirming there is no alternative to dialogue and understanding.

“No one will obstruct or be allowed to obstruct the government formation process,” asserted Salam, revealing an initial plan to present to the President.

“There are no hurdles hindering the government formation,” Salam concluded, pledging to ensure its success.

In turn, Speaker Berri commented briefly, describing the meeting with the PM-designate as “promising”.

Salam was designated on Monday by President Joseph Aoun on the basis of binding parliamentary consultations. However, lack of coordination among the parliamentary blocs pushed the “Loyalty to Resistance” and “Development and Liberation” to boycott the non-binding parliamentary consultations held by the PM-designate. The latest political contacts eased the tensions and led to Berri-Salam meeting which would enhance the new government formation on the basis of national consensus.

Source: NNA and Al-Manar English Website