BEIRUT: Prime Minister Tammam Salam called on the country’s various political parties to take advantage of the dialogue that Hezbollah and Future Movement launched this week to address pressing issues including the election of a new president.
“There are many issues that need to be addressed including the oil sector and the waste dump, which is a danger to the entire country if we do not find a solution soon,” Salam told reporters after meeting Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain al-Tineh.
“Therefore, my call today is for political forces to take advantage of the dialogue and the calm so that we could resolve these issues.”
Salam said Berri, who prepared and oversaw the first dialogue session between Hezbollah and Future Movement, briefed him on the talks and described them as “promising.”
“The issue of the oil [sector] is similar to many other issues that benefit Lebanon and the Lebanese and requires finalization and consensus from everyone in the difficult circumstances we’re living,” he said.
“I want to reiterate that the most pressing issue is electing a new president so that all the elements are available for this democratic institution and we could together confront our problem.”
The absence of a president has crippled the work of the government, especially Parliament as some lawmakers refuse to attend legislative sessions amid a presidential vacuum.
The Cabinet has also been unable to settle issues in light of political disputes, preventing the government from issuing the long-delayed oil decrees and finding alternative waste dumps.
Asked about the hostage crisis of 25 servicemen held by ISIS and the Nusra Front since August, Salam said he would prefer to remain silent about the issue.
“We are dealing with this matter in utmost secrecy to give it a chance to succeed and to those who are still involving themselves in this political and media folklore, I say that it does not benefit anyone.”
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