Prime Minister, Tammam Salam, on Thursday delivered a word marking Lebanon’s 71st Independence in which he pushed for a speedy election of a new Lebanese President.

Prime Minister, Tammam Salam, on Thursday delivered a word marking Lebanon's 71st Independence in which he pushed for a speedy election of a new Lebanese President.

"Now that we have extended the House of Parliament's mandate, we should work on electing a new President," Salam said in an Independence speech he had delivered at the Grand Serail's conference hall.

"Divergence in opinion should not change from being a legitimate political tool to become a device to abolish the state," the Prime Minister added.

Salam regretted that Lebanon was witnessing Independence while suffering increasing burdens.

"This is a sad moment ... because a jewel named Lebanon that our ancestors had handed us in a brilliant shape, has become a feeble body whose rise is very difficult," Salam said.

The Prime Minister somberly paid tribute to Lebanon's army and military martyrs and hostages.

"Some of our sons, our heroes from the army and security forces, have been forbidden the blessing of freedom for months now. They will not be with us today to celebrate independence (...)" Salam said.

However, the Prime Minister expressed relief that Lebanon witnessed relative calm and security these days.

"This is all thanks to the massive efforts of the army and security forces. We are also being able to get by within the frame of a world of political consensus. But everybody is well-aware of the fact that our political and security borders are not so very robust," the Prime Minister said, stressing the need to work hand-in-hand to ward-off looming danger.