Connelly Meets Miqati, Charbel, Hails Premier's Determination to Hold Elections on Time

U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly praised on Tuesday Prime Minister Miqati’s determination to uphold Lebanon’s democratic and constitutional principles.

She also hailed after holding talks with the premier his determination to hold the parliamentary elections on time.

She had held talks with Miqati on bilateral relations as well as the political and security situation in Lebanon and regional events. 

Earlier, Connelly had met with Interior Minister Marwan Charbel, lauding efforts by the Interior Ministry to prepare for the elections that are scheduled to be held in June.

She encouraged Lebanon “to uphold its democratic and constitutional principles and hold elections on time.”

The two officials discussed bilateral relations, the political and security situation in Lebanon and regional events, and U.S. support for training and equipping the Internal Security Forces.

In addition, Connelly tackled a new five-year $27.1 million program from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to promote innovation in public service among municipalities, groups of municipalities, and municipal unions.

The program, named Building Alliance for Local Advancement, Development, and Investment (BALADI), provides in-kind grants on an annual basis for projects that meet citizens’ needs and bring citizens and their local governments to work together to meet those goals and promote local economic growth and development.

The program officially launches on February 18 and additional information can be found at www.baladi-lebanon.org.

An electoral subcommittee has been meeting since January in an effort to reach an agreement over a new parliamentary electoral law, but officials have yet to reach an agreement amid warnings that any further delay could lead to the postponement of the elections.