Hale Meets Suleiman, Berri, Urges Staging Elections on Time
U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon David Hale stressed on Monday the need for Lebanese officials to hold the presidential elections and avoid vacuum in the country's top post.
He said after holding separate meetings President Michel Suleiman and Speaker Nabih Berri: “We urge Lebanon’s leaders to conduct the presidential election on time and in accordance with the constitution.”
“Our aim is to help the Lebanese protect the electoral process, not to predetermine the outcome,” he added.
“I believe that the vast majority of the Lebanese people want their country to be peaceful and stable, and meeting its international obligations,” remarked the ambassador.
The international community wants to help in that regard and with the many challenges that the Lebanese face, he said, while adding that success “will not be possible without Lebanese leaders who are committed to those goals and who are partners in that effort.”
“It will take a functioning presidency, parliament, and cabinet to tackle these and other challenges, and to avoid the price of gaps and paralysis,” stated Hale.
“And we believe it is still within the capacity of Lebanon’s leaders to achieve these goals, including the timely election of a president,” he said.
Lebanon has failed to elect a president after four rounds of presidential elections at parliament.
During he first round, neither of the candidates, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea and Democratic Gathering MP Henri Helou, received the necessary votes of 86 lawmakers to be elected president.
The next three rounds failed to be held due to a lack of quorum after the majority of the MPs of the March 8 camp boycotted the session over the ongoing dispute with the March 14 camp on a presidential candidate.
The fifth round of the elections is scheduled for Thursday, two days before Suleiman's term ends.
M.T.
H.K.
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