Will Tamam Salam Remain Impartial?

In your opinion, how will the selection of Mr. Tamam Salam affect the Syrian crisis?

There is a consensus democracy in Lebanon. Under different conditions, different sects come to an agreement. The reason the previous Lebanese government faced difficulties was that certain people intervened in the government’s affairs, putting pressure on it to allow the entry of terrorists and weapons into Syria from Lebanon. It was not in the interest of Lebanon to be involved in Syrian affairs. For whatever reason, the former government made this mistake under foreign pressure which led to killings in North Lebanon and conflicts along the border area. For this reason, Mr. Mikati’s government left the scene. Taking into consideration the new situation, Mr. Tamam Salam was agreed on by all groups to begin his work with a new agenda.

Some believe that, bearing in mind Lebanon’s unique texture, this country cannot be indifferent to the issue of Syria…

 Yes, this is correct because of the fact that Syria’s sects, from the Sunnis and the Alawis to the Druzes, continue into Lebanon. From a political point of view, Syria’s political-social issues continue into Lebanon. For some years, Syria’s military was present in Lebanon and protected that country. Lebanon has only two neighbors, namely Syria and occupied Palestine. All of Lebanon’s connections with the outside world go through Syria. Therefore, Lebanon has a special link with Syria.

Bearing in mind these links, how can Mr. Tamam Salam keep Lebanon impartial?

This is done through the same consensus democracy mentioned before. Mr. Mikati was not chosen with this same agenda. At the moment, Mr. Salam has been selected with the agenda to first conclude an election law with the endorsement of all sects and second, to keep Lebanon out of the Syrian conflict.

Before the appointment of Mr. Tamam Salam, Mr. Walid Jumblatt met with Bandar bin Sultan in Riyadh. How do you evaluate the impact of this meeting on Mr. Salam’s appointment?

On the basis of the money he received from Saudi Arabia and Qatar, Mr. Jumblatt attempts to provoke the Druzes in Syria to rise against the Syrian government. If Mr. Jumblatt insists on this policy, the conflict will flare up within the Druze community in Lebanon before it engulfs the Druze community in Syria. This is not in Lebanon’s interest.

Many analysts believe that Tamam Salam is close to Saudi Arabia. Doesn’t this matter affect Mr. Salam’s approach? Does Saudi Arabia also want Lebanon to be impartial?

Most Lebanese Sunnis are supporters of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia wants Lebanon to support the Syrian opposition. However, so far this has not been achieved because Lebanon has a consensus democracy and there is a strong force called Hezbollah which is a determining factor in Lebanon’s politics. If Mr. Tamam Salam keeps his promise to maintain Lebanon’s impartiality in the Syrian crisis, the above-mentioned forces in Lebanon, such as supporters of Michel Aoun and Hezbollah, will not leave him alone.

Does this mean that Saudi Arabia will not be able to put aside Hezbollah?

No. Saudi Arabia cannot do such a thing at all.

Mr. Tamam Salam has met the Iranian ambassador in Lebanon. What is the message of this meeting? Might Tamam Salam’s closeness with Saudi Arabia damage good relations between Iran and Lebanon?

Tamam Salam should stand alongside all influential elements in this agreement, such as Iran. Former Prime Minister Mikati was also close to Saudi Arabia. All Sunnis belonging to al-Mustaqbal are close to Saudi Arabia.

Concerning the previous cabinet, it was said to be close to the March 8 alliance. What is your prediction of the composition of the new cabinet?

It seems that the new cabinet will be like the previous one because it has to be determined in accordance with the balance of forces. The March 8 alliance’s role in the composition of the new cabinet will also be determining.

Do you think that Mr. Salam will be able to have a positive effect on the resolution of the crisis in Syria?

If the impartiality of Syria’s neighbors is serious, it will have a positive effect on the resolution of the crisis. It is in this context that Iran has supported Mr. Tamam Salam, provided that he keeps his promises.