Like High Representative Catherine Ashton, belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Didier Reynders welcomes the announcement of Lebanon’s new inclusive government and congratulates new Prime Minister Tamam Salam and all others who have worked relentlessly to achieve this.

Belgium looks forward to working with Prime Minister Salam and his new government as they seek to address the challenges and opportunities now facing the country. These encompass the timely holding of Presidential elections; ensuring security and combating terrorism including by the reassertion of a policy of dissociation from the Syria conflict; helping the hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees which Lebanon is generously hosting.

Didier Reynders pays tribute to outgoing Prime Minister Mikati for all his work to keep Lebanon stable in difficult times. Belgium, with the EU, will continue to provide its support to the Lebanese authorities in pursuit of peace and prosperity for Lebanon and the region.

Tammam SALAM, a sunnit is the son of Saeb SALAM who was 6 times prime minister. Tammam Salam was elected for the first time in the House of Representatives in 1996. He belongs to the faction of Rafic Hariri.