Papal Ambassador Says New President May be Elected 'Soon'

Gabriele Caccia, the papal ambassador to Lebanon, announced Monday that the election of a new Lebanese president might be imminent, noting that the circumstances are ripe for ending the protracted presidential void.

“The local, regional and international circumstances are ripe for the election of a new president soon,” Caccia said during a meeting with Maronite League chief Samir Abi al-Lamaa at the embassy's headquarters in Harissa.

The presidential seat -- the country's top Christian post -- has been vacant since May 25 when the term of president Michel Suleiman ended. Political differences and electoral wrangling led to a lack of quorum during 16 electoral sessions in parliament.

Several media outlets have recently reported that the Vatican might be playing a role to facilitate the election of a new president in Lebanon, with some reports saying Lebanese Ambassador to the Vatican George Khoury could be the Holy See's favorite candidate.

“The Vatican is exerting efforts with Lebanese politicians in order to carry out the presidential vote as soon as possible,” Caccia said.

He also noted that the Holy See's top priority is “the stabilization of the security and economic situations in Lebanon.”

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