Kerry Contacts Suleiman, Calls for Electing President as Soon as Possible

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry stressed on Thursday his country's support for Lebanon's stability, highlighting the cooperation between the two sides.

He emphasized during a telephone call with former President Michel Suleiman the need to elect his successor as soon as possible.

The U.S. official also voiced his country's support to the Baabda Declaration.

For his part, Suleiman reminded Kerry of the burden Syrian refugees are posing on Lebanon.

Suleiman's six-year term ended over the weekend.

The parliament failed to elect his successor after five elections sessions.

The last four sessions were not staged due to a lack of quorum caused by a boycott by March 8 camp lawmakers, namely those of the Hizbullah and Free Patriotic Movement blocs, over the ongoing dispute with the March 14 alliance over the presidential elections.

M.T.

Y.R.