Lebanon names Tammam Salam as new prime minister

Tammam Salam has been named Lebanon’s new prime minister, pledging to safeguard the country from the raging crisis in neighboring Syria.

Lebanon’s President Michel Sleiman officially announced Salam, a former culture minister, as premier on Saturday and tasked him with forming a new government.

In his first speech after nomination, Salam said he would “bring Lebanon out of its state of division and political fragmentation…and…ward off the risks brought by the tragic situation in the neighboring (Syria) and by regional tensions.”

The Syrian conflict has spilled over into Beirut and other Lebanese areas, and clashes have frequently been reported along border regions.

Salam’s nomination came after a two-day consultation at the Parliament ended earlier in the day. He finally received 124 votes from 128 lawmakers.

The 67-year-old also received the blessing of Lebanon’s two main political blocs, March 14 and March 8.

The former Prime Minister Najib Mikati resigned on March 22 after a deadlock in his cabinet over preparations for forthcoming legislative elections in June.

As caretaker, Mikati will continue to run the government until Salam forms a cabinet accepted by rival political groups.