Kerry Urges Lebanese to 'Resolve Differences Peacefully, Hold Elections on Time'
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Thursday called on all Lebanese parties to “resolve their differences peacefully and at the ballot box,” urging Lebanon and its leaders to “hold elections on time.”
“Today marks the eighth anniversary of Lebanon’s Cedar Revolution, when the Lebanese people took to the streets to peacefully demonstrate and demand a sovereign and democratic country free from foreign interference and to call for the truth behind the assassination of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and 22 others,” said Kerry in a press release.
He noted that the Lebanese people “continue to face challenges as they work to ensure a stable, sovereign, and independent state that unifies all Lebanese.”
“As Lebanon prepares for its parliamentary elections, we call on all parties to reject the use of violence and to resolve their differences peacefully and at the ballot box, consistent with the Lebanese constitution,” Kerry said.
The top U.S. diplomat added that “Lebanon’s democratic process is a valuable achievement,” urging Lebanon and its leaders to “uphold their commitment to this process and hold elections on time.”
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