Premier Omar Karami stressed over the weekend that his new 30-member cabinet is committed to making a qualitative political leap through the conduct of free elections, open dialogue and honest competition, AS Safir reported Monday.

Speaking at the inauguration of Beirut's International Arab Book Fair on Saturday, Karami called on the Lebanese people to turn differences and divisions among them into a driving force to boost democracy in the country and that is through resorting to dialogue and honest competition.

"As Lebanese and Arabs, we are in dire need of unifying our efforts and capabilities to confront the changes taking place around us and in the whole world," Karami said. "Putting up with the challenges facing us necessitates joint action and solidarity to serve joint interests... Dialogue and true interaction are at the core of political life in Lebanon and are our message to the world in confrontation of challenges such as the clash of cultures and religions," he added.

He stressed the importance of dialogue and unity over national principles in Lebanon regardless of differences and divisions over details. "We call on all the Lebanese to turn their political differences into a driving force to boost democracy saying this could be done by resorting to political struggle through dialogue and honest competition at the upcoming general elections," he said.

"Our government made a commitment in its policy statement and before the whole public opinion to make a qualitative lead forward in our political life through an election law which ensures justice and proper representation," Karami added. "We are determined to fulfill our promises and hold free elections, worthy of our Lebanese democracy," he said.