Vatican to Resort to U.N. Security Council to End Presidential Impasse

The Vatican is seeking to resort to the United Nations Security Council to press Lebanese parties to carry out the presidential elections as soon as possible and end the deadlock.

The Vatican reportedly contacted the French Foreign Ministry urging it to pressure the Security Council to take action regarding the stalemate, An Nahar newspaper reported on Wednesday.

The daily said that the timing of such an endeavor remains undecided.

Information obtained by the newspaper said that major powers are holding away from spotlight contacts with Lebanese arch-foes to discuss the possibility of an international initiative before the end of August.

Lawmakers from the Change and Reform bloc and most of the March 8 alliance's MPs have boycotted several parliamentary sessions aimed at electing a president under the excuse of lack of consensus on a candidate.

The lack of quorum caused by the boycott left the country's top Christian post vacant after President Michel Suleiman's six-year term ended on May 25.

Under the National Pact of 1943, the president should be a Maronite.

Romain Nadal, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development's spokesman, expressed regret over the presidential deadlock, urging the rival parties to reach consensus over the matter.

“It is essential that the Lebanese politicians guarantee the work of state institutions and to exert all the necessary efforts to swiftly elect a new president,” Nadal said.

He pointed out that the new president should be up to all the challenges confronting the county.

The diplomat condemned all “attempt to destabilize Lebanon,” reiterating his country's support to the state.

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