Ban Reiterates Calls for Electing of New President by Overcoming Barriers

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed regret over the deep political rift in Lebanon as party leaders so far failed to elect a new head of state and overcome their “individual interests.”

He stressed as he spoke to journalists at the world body’s New York Headquarters, days ahead of opening the high-level segment of the 69th General Assembly session, that a new head of state should be elected to surpass the many challenges facing the country.

The U.N. chief hailed the efforts exerted by the Lebanese cabinet to confront the political, social and economic situation, and expressed gratitude for the “generous” support by the Lebanese people to refugees fleeing the conflict in neighboring Syria.

“It is regrettably that the leaders of Lebanon have not been able to overcome their party lines or their ethnic lines. They should overcome their differences of their party lines for the benefit and future of Lebanon,” Ban told reporters.

He noted that the ongoing vacuum hinders the work of the cabinet and further deepens the stinging crises.

Ban urged the political arch-foes to “unite and show their solidarity for the future of their people and also for peace and security in the region.”

Lebanon has been without a president since the term of Michel Suleiman ended in May.

Ongoing disputes between the March 8 and 14 camps over a compromise candidate have thwarted the election of a president despite several sessions being held at parliament.

There are fears that the political crisis and vacancy at the presidency could lead to vacuum in the remaining political institutions.

Lebanon hosts more than 1.1 million Syrian refugees, and fighting related to the conflict frequently breaks out in the country.

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