(BEIRUT) — In an interview with The Washington Post, Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam said Lebanon is heading toward a breakdown because opposing political factions could not cooperate to resolve even the most basic issues.
Salam said he was a “neutral” politician and expressed disappointment with “regional powers” and their influence on the Lebanese government.
“We are heading toward a breakdown,” he said. “The Lebanese political factions are incapable of electing a president by themselves.”
Salam added that a president will only be elected if a deal is accepted by the United States, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Iran. He believes the U.S. and Russia will first have to broker a deal in regard to the Syrian war, because the stalemate in Lebanon requires “much less effort.”
“(Solving Lebanon’s stalemate) only requires the international big powers and the regional ones to get together and say, “Yes, we will support this guy as a president,” and things will start moving,” Salam said.
Historic protests over corruption and political dysfunction have been taking place in Lebanon for weeks now, prompting international attention and increased public anger over the garbage crisis. Salam said he “can’t blame” the protesters for taking to the streets.
“I wish all the country would go there and be secular in its politics,” he said. “I personally am in support of that.”
Salam also added the Syrian refugee crisis was placing a burden on Lebanon’s economy, and that the country didn’t have enough financial resources to handle them.
“The 1.5 million refugees are a burden because they share our electricity, our water, our schools, our roads, our commerce, our jobs — and yes, the Lebanese are tired of this” he said. “They have been very hospitable.”