Lebanon finally has a government

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Tammam salam def 1Finally Lebanon has a government. After nearly eleven months of political bickering by the rival political groups , Prime Minister Tammam Salam was finally able to put together a 24 member unity cabinet that he announced on Saturday.

Salam stressed the importance of creating a positive atmosphere in order to revive the national dialogue under the patronage of President Michel Suleiman.

“I stretch my hand to all political leaders and I count on their wisdom to reach this end. I call on all of them to concede [to serve] the project of the state and to support the army and the security forces and keep them away from political [bickering],” Salam said following the cabinet formation announcement.

“A lot of effort, patience, and flexibility was needed to form the government of national interests,” he remarked from the Baabda Palace after he held talks with President Michel Suleiman and Speaker Nabih Berri.

“The portfolios were distributed in a manner that achieves national partnership and respects the rotation of power,” he stressed.

He also said that his cabinet will work on holding presidential elections and agreeing on a new law for parliamentary elections.

The cabinet included all Lebanese parties, except for the Lebanese Forces, which maintained its stance against participating in a cabinet that includes ministers representing Hezbollah.

Here’s the new cabinet lineup:

 

The new cabinet of Prime  Minister Tammam Salam  that was announced on February 15, 2014
The new cabinet of Prime Minister Tammam Salam that was announced on February 15, 2014

Tammam Salam: Prime Minister

Samir Moqbel: Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister  (Orthodox – centrist)

March 14 MP Boutros Harb: Telecommunications Minister (Maronite)

National Struggle Front MP Akram Chehayeb: Agriculture Minister( Druze – centrist)

Amal MP Ghazi Zeaiter: Public Works and Transportation Ministry. (Shiite)

Change and Reform bloc MP Arthur Nazarian (Tashnaq Party): Energy Minister ( Armenian Orthodox))

Future bloc MP Michel Pharaon: Tourism Minister (Catholic)

Amal MP Ali Hassan Khalil: Finance Minister (Shiite)

Hezbollah MP Mohammad Fneish: State Minister for Parliament Affairs( Shiite)

Gebran Bassil (Free Patriotic Movement): Foreign Minister ( Maronite)

National Struggle Front MP Wael Abu Faour: Health Minister ( Druze)

Hezbollah MP Hussein Hajj Hassan: Industry Minister ( Shiite)

Future bloc MP Nohad Mashnouq: Interior Minister (Sunni)

Future bloc MP Nabil De Freige: State Minister for Administrative Reform ( Protestant -Minorities)

Ramzi Jreij (Phalange ): Information Minister (Greek Orthodox)

Rasheed Derbas (Future Movement) : Social Affairs Minister (Sunni)

Mohammad Mashnouq (PM Tammam Salam’s share): Environment Minister (Sunni)

Alice Shebtini (President Michel Suleiman’s share): Minister of Displaced (Maronite)

Abdelmotleb Hannawi (President Michel Suleiman’s share): Youth and Sports Minister (Shiite)

Sejaan Azzi (Phalange): Labor Minister (Maronite)

Ashraf Rifi (Future Movement): Justice Minister ( Sunni)

Alain Hakim (Phalange): Economy Minister (Catholic)

Raymond ( Ronni)  Arayji (Marada Movement): Culture Minister (Maronite)

Elias Abou Saab (Free Patriotic Movement): Education Minister (Maronite)

The new cabinet will replace the cabinet of caretaker PM Nagib Mikati

PM Tammam Salam ( R) and  speaker Nabih Berri  (L) meet president Michel Suleiman at the Presidential Palace prior to the announcement of the new cabinet
PM Tammam Salam ( R) and speaker Nabih Berri (L) meet president Michel Suleiman at the Presidential Palace prior to the announcement of the new cabinet

 

 

 

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25 responses to “Lebanon finally has a government”

  1. 5thDrawer Avatar

    We wait to see it work, instead of simply ‘dialogue’ itself to death again.

  2. A new Lebanese government is formed what a surprise.

    It contains the worst possible names that anyone can imagine. Besides, they waited for almost a year now to form this kind of backward government in this critical juncture. This shows once again that the people of Lebanon are nothing but goats to these unscrupulous corrupt politicians. One more thing before I leave I just want to say that typical governments in Lebanon are governments of The Elites, By the Elites and For the Elites. This is the truth and no one can deny this fact. The other funny thing that I have noticed is that the portfolios of each ministerial job is allocated to people who seem to have limited or let alone any knowledge in their assigned task. For example, Samir Mokbel who is a contractor is given the portfolio of Defence and Ali Hassan Khalil the Finance Ministry and the list goes on.

    1. Never been interested enough to know any of the cast but typicaly the leabnese process is to upease barking trouble makers for a token formation that has a ball and a chain tied to its leg to make sure nothing changes till the exercise takes place in the next election all over again. not a progressive place….yistiflo.

    2. ...some guy Avatar
      …some guy

      Never been interested enough to know any of the cast but typicaly the leabnese process is to upease barking trouble makers for a token formation that has a ball and a chain tied to its leg to make sure nothing changes till the exercise takes place in the next election all over again. not a progressive place….yistiflo. nice to see you back Sebouh.

    3. I second that with: “malla 2orta”

      Wanna jail me now? JAIL THIS!

      …………………./´¯/)
      ………………..,/¯../
      ………………./…./
      …………./´¯/’…’/´¯¯`·¸
      ………./’/…/…./……./¨¯
      ……..(‘(…´…´…. ¯~/’…’)
      ……………………..’…../
      ……….”…………. _.·´
      ………….

      One from me, One from Sebouh, and One from every blogger here… TFEH!

      1. Hannibal; would I go to jail if I say before they move from that kodak moment on a count to three FIRE!!!

        1. lol
          Now this is creative thinking…

      2. 5thDrawer Avatar

        The only – and last hope – is that this gang might think it’s time to create a ‘Constitution’ which might mean a democracy where votes actually count, with no need for ‘Confessional Crap’ for confessions which never come, because a free press and people interviewed would not be afraid to say what is going on or what they think.
        One Prime Minister would be less expensive too.

      3. 5thDrawer Avatar

        The only – and last hope – is that this gang might think it’s time to create a ‘Constitution’ which might mean a democracy where votes actually count, with no need for ‘Confessional Crap’ for confessions which never come, because a free press and people interviewed would not be afraid to say what is going on or what they think.
        One Prime Minister would be less expensive too.

      4. nagy_michael2 Avatar
        nagy_michael2

        We need to give them a Scud Missile not just a finger..

        1. I’d rather use American-made Tomahawk, more accurate 😉

    4. Prophettttt Avatar
      Prophettttt

      Sebouh80,The only good thing about forming a new cabinet is that it brought you back to this page.No one could’ve said what you said better.Agree with every word you said,and good to see you again.

  3. Yoo hooo… Names on the posts don’t matter, let the comedy tour begin. This group will be just as effective governing, as the ones before it – this is Lebanon after all!

  4. Yoo hooo… Names on the posts don’t matter, let the comedy tour begin. This group will be just as effective governing, as the ones before it – this is Lebanon after all!

  5. nagy_michael2 Avatar
    nagy_michael2

    who is the defense Minister I don’t get it..

    1. 5thDrawer Avatar

      Moqbel … read next article … dual purpose contractor …

    2. 5thDrawer Avatar

      Moqbel … read next article … dual purpose contractor …

  6. Just reading some of You posting negative comments make Me sick, Always fast to condemn, Always fast to be self destructive, Always to show criticism but never support and optimism, there is something wrong with Your genes, like the idiot who is barking the same song for a long time, “No confessional crap” said the whore of misinformation, This whore istrying to divide and defeat Our Country to favour Israhell.
    People change with time and We should give them the benefit of an opportunity to show of what are they capable.
    Is not right to just make destructive comments against Your Own multi sectarian Country just because some members of this forum with an agenda of slander and gossip try to manipulate Your Own mind, I think We can do better than that, Do NOT let a HOMOSEXUAL of doubtful origin tell You what You should think, Instead You should lower Your criticism and contribute to the unity of Our Country, Otherwise You are giving away Our past, Our present and Our Future.
    If Some of You think You can do better within the parameters of Our situation in Lebanon…= Show Me!

    1. 5thDrawer Avatar

      Ok AfRyT … something from your whore who isn’t Irsaeli, or Jewish, or ‘Gay’, but certainly has a lot of criticism because of everything I’ve seen and experienced about Lebanon – a wonderful landscape with some very loving hearts, too much passion, and what I think is a great stupidity about Religion, which is what you are dumping on me for. Right?
      You want solutions?? Not that we haven’t offered some up here in the time all of us ‘negative types’ have been on the blog, along with THE BETTER IDEAS that people like Ghassan or other writers looking for solutions have put forward. I’d be happy to once again ‘have an idea’ for you. But you won’t like it I’m sure because it’s not totally ‘made in Liban’ – although it might save your precious past better than anything I’ve seen to date in your non-existent history books for grade-schoolers.
      But let’s BE optimistic. Assume these ’24’ can actually do something FOR Lebanon.
      1. The 24 new ‘high potentates’ decide to actually discuss a constitution for a country.
      2. They throw out the word ‘confessional’ – which hasn’t meant anything.
      3. They study the British Parliamentary System (or Belgian) and formulate a very close emulation only slightly adjusted for Lebanon (not for religions , which won’t be needed in governing), which might keep in the Babbda thing about not interfering in anyone else’s’ land in future. It will give freedom of religion and speech to ALL, including women, WITH the concept of equality under laws ‘to be decided’ by votes or other referendums.
      4. They publish it for everyone to read … and then put it to a referendum making sure there’s time to read it, and making sure it is collected properly – with NO gum flapping allowed by the ‘politicals’ or the ‘gangs’ either, because it IS what ‘the new cabinet of 24’ has come up with. The ARMY will be the assurers of peace for this to happen – and since they are not part of the politics NOW, they are ‘neutral’ in keeping the peace.
      4a. Make the referendum readable to all, with multi-part questions; and long, so people need to think about it and see options clearly. ‘This is the Consitution and the System’.
      5. After reading the results of that and publishing it, go with what the majority want. Everyone agrees with this, right? Because ‘the 24’ say democracy can work, the vast majority will.
      6. Give it 6 months to a year to sink in – while ‘the 24’ run the place too. AND THEN:
      7. Have elections of politicians who are volunteering to be working for the country based on their proficiency – not their damn religion or ‘gang affiliation’.
      8. Set a pay-scale for them which is reasonable – not 3x any other democracy.
      Voila. A Future. Good enough so far?? You don’t like it?
      SO … What are YOUR ‘Parameters’ ?? We know what the situation IS and has been. You want change? Make it! Show me you can do better than this imaginary person you think I am.

  7. Just reading some of You posting negative comments make Me sick, Always fast to condemn, Always fast to be self destructive, Always to show criticism but never support and optimism, there is something wrong with Your genes, like the idiot who is barking the same song for a long time, “No confessional crap” said the whore of misinformation, This whore istrying to divide and defeat Our Country to favour Israhell.
    People change with time and We should give them the benefit of an opportunity to show of what are they capable.
    Is not right to just make destructive comments against Your Own multi sectarian Country just because some members of this forum with an agenda of slander and gossip try to manipulate Your Own mind, I think We can do better than that, Do NOT let a HOMOSEXUAL of doubtful origin tell You what You should think, Instead You should lower Your criticism and contribute to the unity of Our Country, Otherwise You are giving away Our past, Our present and Our Future.
    If Some of You think You can do better within the parameters of Our situation in Lebanon…= Show Me!

  8. It looks like Berri was photo shoped in this picture. On behalf of M8 I assure all Lebanese that we will make every effort to fix up the place and extract all the gas needed to light up Lebanon.

  9. It looks like Berri was photo shoped in this picture. On behalf of M8 I assure all Lebanese that we will make every effort to fix up the place and extract all the gas needed to light up Lebanon.

  10. I imagine AfRyT like “El Guapo” and 5thDrawer, MekensehParty and Marbols-el khari like the three amigos, “El guapo don’t kill woman LOL LOL LOL SO FUNNY!!!!

    1. 5thDrawer Avatar

      And AfRyT is asking for your ‘better idea’. Go for it.

  11. I imagine AfRyT like “El Guapo” and 5thDrawer, MekensehParty and Marbols-el khari like the three amigos, “El guapo don’t kill woman LOL LOL LOL SO FUNNY!!!!

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