Salam vows to unite people of Lebanon

Lebanon's designated Prime Minister Tamam Salam has told reporters that his government would not include any parliamentary election candidates. "The government of one type had its problems, and today I want to form a government that overcomes all the differences," he said. "Hezbollah can also be involved in the new government. It is a key component of our country's constitution and works with other parties," Salam added. The Sunni Muslim politician vowed to reform Lebanon's defence policy, promising to discuss the matter with his fellow politicians at the dialogue table. Salam also laughed off claims that he is the prime minister of the March 14 parliamentary bloc, explaining that his task is to unite the Lebanese people and that he is confidence of being successful in this aim. "Dialogue is the the best framework to make decisions on the big issues, and everyone needs to be consulted," he said. Salam confirmed that he would have no hesitations in giving a ministerial role to former Internal Security Forces chief Major General Ashraf Rifi, even though he was Salam's rival during parliamentary consultations. The Lebanese PM said that he supports the revolution of the Syrian people, "but Lebanon should not be exposed to what it cannot cope with, in relation to Syria." Salam said that Lebanon cannot move towards parliamentary elections with the 1960's electoral law, accepting that several key parties consider the legislation to be invalid. He explained that election would only take place once there had been "full agreement" on the legalities. Salam was named as Lebanon's new prime minister on Saturday after two days of consultations in which two of the biggest parliamentary blocs, March 8 and March 14, reached a rare consensus. Salam won the endorsement of 124 of the 128 parliamentarians and succeeds former Prime Minister Najib Mikati.