Lebanese Presidency responds to three former Prime Ministers' statement

In light of the statement issued on Wednesday by former Prime Ministers Tammam Salam, Najib Mikati, and Fouad Siniora, the Lebanese Presidency issued a statement emphasizing the following:

First: If the former Prime Ministers had realized the consequences of accelerating conduction of the binding parliamentary consultations, on both the country's general situation and national unity, they wouldn't have issued this statement and its fallacies. And would have realized the correctness of the decision taken by the President of the Republic, in preserving national and charter principles, on which Lebanon was founded. 

Second: The consultation, conducted by the President of the Republic, does not constitute a violation of the Taif Agreement, neither in its letter nor spirit. Especially since the Constitution emanating from this agreement does not set a time limit for conducting Parliamentary consultations and does not specify a time limit for the designated PM to complete the formation of the government, in agreement with the President of the Republic. Consequently, there is no attack by the President on the powers of anyone. 

Third: The President, through giving way in the field of consultations among parliamentary blocs, aimed to secure broad support for the designated PM which facilitates governmental formation, in light of the painful experiences that took place in the days of the officials who issued today's statement. Noting that the issue of consultation which precedes formation of any new government was normal, and always takes place in normal circumstances. So how is the country going in exceptional circumstances needing extraordinary steps to protect its unity, and the requirements of national reconciliation and the content of the introduction to the constitution, which the President is keen on in all steps taken, and adheres to them.