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Lebanese PM pledges effort amid presidential vacuum

Xinhua, August 25, 2016 Adjust font size:

Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam pledged Wednesday to "continue shouldering the national responsibility" amid the political crisis in the country.

He made the remarks at a ceremony held at the Grand Serail in honor of high school students, saying the current situation should not "call for optimism," but Lebanon "went through a lot of junctures and overcame major tests."

Salam hailed the countries and its people for the "internal cohesion" despite all the chaos and destruction, adding that "we will not back down, weaken or bow in the face of the challenges."

He attributed the political crisis to the current presidential vacuum and parliamentary paralysis.

Lebanon has failed to elect a new head of state since former President Michel Suleiman's term ended in May 2014.

The negative impacts of a vacuum and the paralysis of the legislative branch are compelling, said Salam, adding that it is not an optimistic situation. Endit