Report: U.S. Backs All-Embracing Cabinet to Hold Presidential Elections on Time

U.S. Ambassador David Hale has informed top Lebanese officials that Washington prefers the formation of an all-embracing government that does not exclude any party over fears on a further crisis in the presidential elections, As Safir daily reported on Saturday.

The newspaper said that Hale's round of discussions with the officials included a warning that the formation of a nonpartisan cabinet that does not receive the support of all the Lebanese parties would paralyze the presidential elections.

President Michel Suleiman's six-year term ends in May. There are fears that differences between the rival parties would spill over to the presidency.

“An all-embracing cabinet would provide the opportunity for holding the elections and would facilitate the formation of a new government that works on (an agreement) on a new electoral law … to hold the parliamentary elections next autumn based on it,” Hale allegedly told the officials.

As Safir quoted well-informed diplomatic sources as saying that Washington has discussed with Western countries, mainly France, and regional states on the need to protect Lebanon's stability and hold the presidential polls on time.

The sources said that an all-embracing cabinet would raise the chance of holding the elections by 50 percent.