Qatar welcomes Salam as new PM of Lebanon

DOHA Qatar welcomed the endorsement of Tammam Salam to form the new government, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official said. He said that Qatar hoped that this would be a step towards reconciliation and national unity.

The source added that Qatar congratulates Salam on the confidence he has received, and that it is convinced that he would do all that he could to serve his country and to address issues facing Lebanon and the region.

Earlier, President Michel Suleiman invited prominent Lebanese politician Salam to form a new Cabinet in Lebanon on Saturday. Salam said he will work to end divisions in Lebanon and prevent the civil war in Syria from spilling over into the country.

Salam also pledged to work with all groups across Lebanon’s political spectrum, which is split into pro- and anti-Damascus camps.

“I have accepted this nomination..
out of conviction that it is my duty to work for my country’s interest, in cooperation with all political parties,” he said.

The 68-year-old Beirut legislator and former culture minister was chosen for the job by 124 members of the 128-seat parliament.

(QNA & AGENCIES)