Salam Considers Cabinet 'Hijacked', Sets Roadmap to End Case of Captive Servicemen

Prime Minister Tammam Salam expressed ire on Thursday at his 24-member cabinet, considering that the government is hijacked by the political arch-foes as each minister has the right to use the veto power on any decision, including the appointment of cleaning workers.

Despite the complications surrounding him, Salam, according to his visitors' comments in As Safir newspaper, insists on playing a balance role between the rival parties.

The PM reportedly realizes that his cabinet will remain “seized” until a new head of state is elected.

The cabinet assumes the executive tasks of the president as stated by the constitution until a new head of state is elected. However, decrees during this period require the signatures of all ministers.

Lebanon has been plunged into a leadership vacuum after Michel Suleiman's presidential term ended on May 25 with rival political blocs still divided over a new leader.

Concerning the case of Lebanese hostages, who are in the captivity of Islamist gunmen, the visitors said that Salam expressed belief that chaos is controlling the negotiations, reiterating calls for secrecy.

He had set a roadmap to resolve the case at the forefront receiving a pledge by abductors not to execute any soldier or policeman in their captivity as “negotiation cannot occur under a knife.”

The PM also calls on the al-Qaida-affiliate al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant to settle their demands once and for all.

Salam, according to his visitors, urges all sides to abide by secrecy concerning the case and end the “political folklore” in dealing with it.

He deemed General Security chief Major General Abbas Ibrahim as the only official tasked with following up the negotiations with the kidnappers.

The security force members were captured when the jihadists briefly overran the northeastern border town of Arsal in August, sparking fierce battles with Lebanese troops.

Four have been executed so far, and the jihadists have threatened to kill the remaining hostages unless there is a deal to free Islamist prisoners in Lebanon.

The premier expressed his cabinet's readiness to engage in a prisoners swap deal, in a comprehensive package.

Salam also called on the families of kidnapped servicemen to remain calm and empty the streets in order to allow the cabinet to resolve the case, considering their actions as a pressure tool used against the government.

Finally, the PM urged media outlets to refrain from broadcasting harmful leaks that only harm the case.

Concerning a request by the Muslim Scholars Committee to be officially tasked by the state to engage in negotiations to release the servicemen, Salam said: “Those who really want to help and have the actual ability, don't need an official authorization or to be under the media spotlight.”

“We welcome any help in this regard.”

The committee had recently announced that it will seek a pledge from the captors on halting executions after the relatives of the servicemen called on it to lead the negotiations, on condition of tasking it officially with negotiations.

However, the March 8 alliance reportedly rejected to task the committee with the case.

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