Lebanon’s newly named Prime Minister Tammam Salam pledged in his first speech on 6 April to safeguard the country’s security from the war raging in neighbouring Syria.“There is a need to bring Lebanon out of its state of division and political fragmentation, as reflected on the security situation, and to ward off the risks brought by the tragic situation in the neighbouring (country) and by regional tensions,” Salam said.
Salam, 67, of the Western-backed opposition made the remarks in his inaugural speech shortly after being tasked by President Michel Sleiman with forming a new government.
His appointment comes two weeks after NajibMikati resigned and effectively brought down his Hezbollah-dominated government.Salam also pledged to work with all groups across Lebanon’s political spectrum, which is split into pro- and anti-Damascus camps.