BEIRUT — Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam called Wednesday on rivals Hezbollah and the Future Movement to facilitate the election of a new president.

Speaking following a meeting with Patriarch Beshara Rai at the seat of the Maronite Church in Bkirki, Salam said he hoped that the Hezbollah-Future dialogue, which kicked off Tuesday after four years of total estrangement, would eventually comprise other factions and lead to ending the presidential impasse.

“I repeat that all factions are asked to deploy utmost efforts to ensure the president’s election, because matters cannot continue as they are at present,” he said.

Commenting on negotiations aimed at securing the release of 25 captive servicemen held by “Islamic State” and Nusra Front militants, Salam pleaded with the media to observe discretion and prudence in their coverage, which he warned could be harmful and fatal for the captives.

“Enough [media] competition and rivalry over this issue. The lives of Lebanese servicemen are at stake and it cannot be a subject of media sensations,” Salam said.