Lebanese Premier-designate Tammam Salam announced on Saturday that he did not make any pledges to any political powers in order to assume his position at the premiership.

Lebanese Premier-designate Tammam Salam announced on Saturday that he did not make any pledges to any political powers in order to assume his position at the premiership.

He said upon his official appointment as prime minister-designate: “I aim to form a government that seeks to achieve national interests.”

He thanked all political powers that voted for him to form a new cabinet.

He was elected to his post on Saturday after receiving 124 votes after two days of parliamentary consultations with President Michel Sleiman at the Baabda Palace.

“I realize the sensitivity of the current phase in Lebanon and I hope that the positive atmosphere that prevailed during the consultations will carry on to discussions to form a new cabinet,” Salam added.

He stressed the need to unite positions and commit to the Taef accord, constitution, and democratic principles.

Furthermore, he emphasized the need to end the political division in Lebanon.

The presidency had announced Salam's election earlier on Saturday after a meeting between Sleiman and Speaker Nabih Berri, who was informed by the president of the details of the parliamentary consultations.

The premier-designate received a telephone call later from former Prime Minister Najib Mikati who congratulated him on his appointment.