Eichhorst Says Election of President Increases Confidence in Lebanon

EU Ambassador to Lebanon Angelina Eichhorst stressed on Friday that the election of a new head of state increases the trust in Lebanon, which is confronting enormous challenges.

“It gives a positive indication locally and in the region,” Eichhorst said in an interview with An Nahar newspaper.

Lebanon has been without a president since May last year when the term of Michel Suleiman ended without the election of a successor.

Ongoing disputes between the rival March 8 and 14 camps over a compromise candidate have thwarted the election.

The EU diplomat expressed the Lebanese people's grave concern over the loss of freedom, diversity and coexistence, which are important elements “for a solid democracy.”

She stressed that the EU warned the political leadership of a malfunction in the political system since the parliamentary elections haven't been staged in six years.

“Despite all the difficulties (Lebanon) preserved its privacy, but now it's decaying,” Eichhorst said.

The official said that the EU has reforms to implement in Lebanon but the country's “abilities to carry out the necessary measures have been limited due to the circumstances.”

“Lebanon needs a political will to share power in a balanced manner... we haven't lost hope,” Eichhorst told her interviewer.

The diplomat stressed that Lebanon and the EU “reached a comprehensive understanding regarding the war against terror.”

Eichhorst stressed that the “EU is certain that Lebanon requires support to battle extremism by offering aid to the Lebanese army, Internal Security Forces, the General Security and even the Customs.”

Lebanon's allies are seeking to bolster the country's defenses against the Islamic State group and other jihadists pressing along its Syrian border.

The Lebanese army is generally seen as a unifying force in Lebanon and draws its ranks from all of the country's sects.

H.K.

M.T.