Saudi hopes Tammam will help stabilise Lebanon

Saudi Arabia yesterday welcomed the appointment of Tammam Salam as the new prime minister of Lebanon and hoped his government would contribute to the country’s stability and prosperity. The Council of Ministers, chaired by Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, also emphasized the Kingdom’s keenness to strengthen its “distinguished” relations with Lebanon. Salam was designated to form the new government after the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Mikati, whose two years in office were dominated by efforts to contain sectarian tensions, violence and economic fallout from the Syrian conflict. The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Water and Electricity, Abdullah Al-Hussayen to discuss with the Egyptian side a draft agreement for linking the two countries with a power grid. The Cabinet authorized the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to impose fines on violators in industrial cities and factories, except for violation of opening shops without licenses, and violation of the nonrenewal of shop licenses. Source: Arab News