Connelly Meets Geagea and Gemayel, Urges Timely Elections

U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly on Thursday stressed the importance of holding the parliamentary elections on time, during separate meetings with Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea and Phalange Party chief Amin Gemayel.

“In her meetings, Ambassador Connelly noted the overwhelming public support among the Lebanese people that elections be held in a timely manner and urged all parties to work in support of that goal,” said a statement issued by the U.S. embassy.

She expressed U.S. support for the “extraordinary efforts exerted by Lebanese leaders to adhere to Lebanon’s legal and constitutional framework to hold timely parliamentary elections.”

Connelly underscored that Lebanon’s democratic process is an “immensely valuable achievement and a linchpin to Lebanon’s stability,” noting that Lebanon’s “adherence to democratic values is also an important factor in international confidence in Lebanon and its economy.”

She renewed the United States’ “commitment to a stable, sovereign, and independent Lebanon.”