Lebanon's Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam announced on Friday that he has outlined a preliminary vision for his government, which he intends to present to President Joseph Aoun, emphasizing that the formation process will not face delays. Salam made the announcement during a press conference after meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri at Ayn al-Tineh in western Beirut. "I and Speaker Berri are aligned in adhering to the constitution. I will maintain contact with him until the government is finalized," Salam stated, adding that parliamentary consultations had not concluded on Thursday. He noted a consensus among parliamentary blocs about the urgency of addressing Lebanon's economic recovery. "There is no alternative to reaching an understanding. Delays in forming the government will not be tolerated," Salam stressed. Speaker Berri described his discussions with Salam as "promising," according to a statement from his media office. Salam completed his second day of non-binding parliamentary consultations on Thursday to form a government. However, the process has been overshadowed by a boycott from MPs representing the Shia Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc, affiliated with Hezbollah, and the Amal Movement's Development and Liberation Bloc. Under Article 64 of the Lebanese Constitution, the prime minister-designate is not required to follow the nominations of parliamentary blocs or MPs regarding ministerial appointments. Salam, a judge at the International Court of Justice, was appointed prime minister-designate by President Aoun on Monday after securing 84 out of 128 parliamentary votes. Lebanon's power-sharing structure mandates that the prime minister is a Sunni Muslim, the president a Maronite Christian, and the speaker of Parliament a Shia Muslim. President Aoun's election on Jan. 9 ended a two-year presidential vacuum caused by political disagreements. Aoun was elected by the Lebanese Parliament with a majority of 99 votes. — Agencies
