Int'l Support Group Congratulates Aoun, Urges Speedy Govt. Formation

The International Support Group for Lebanon (ISG) on Monday congratulated President Michel Aoun over his election as Lebanon's 13th president, calling for a speedy government formation and for holding the upcoming parliamentary polls on time.

“The members of the International Support Group for Lebanon congratulate Mr. Michel Aoun on his election today as President of the Republic of Lebanon. They welcome the election of a President as a long-awaited step to overcome Lebanon’s political and institutional crisis,” the ISG said in a statement.

The ISG comprises the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon and Ambassadors of the Arab League, China, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States.

It hoped the election “will give the Lebanese people renewed confidence and will pave the way for broader political progress.”

The members of the ISG also stressed “the importance for domestic and regional stability of Lebanon’s continued commitment to the Baabda Declaration and relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions, including resolution 1701 (2006), as well as respect for its international obligations.”

The global forces also underscored the need to “advance at this time with the formation of a Government as soon as possible as well as with the election of a Parliament by May 2017, in accordance with the Constitution.”

“The members of the ISG note that further international support for Lebanon will be facilitated by the reactivation of Lebanese State institutions, in particular a unified and functioning government, and stand ready to engage to that end with such a government, once it is formed,” they said.

“The members of the ISG encourage all Lebanese parties to work constructively to that end, and further call on Lebanon’s regional partners to remain supportive of such efforts,” the ISG added.

It also thanked Speaker Nabih Berri for “his efforts at fostering continued dialogue among all Lebanese parties” and Prime Minister Tamam Salam for “his leadership throughout this difficult period.”

Aoun's election ends a presidential void that lasted around two and a half years. The FPM founder was tipped to become president after his nomination was formally endorsed by al-Mustaqbal Movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri earlier this month.

Analysts have warned his election will not be a "magic wand" for Lebanon, which has seen longstanding political divisions exacerbated by the war in neighboring Syria and has struggled to deal with an influx of more than a million Syrian refugees.

The 81-year-old former army chief had long eyed the presidency, and his candidacy was backed from the beginning by Iran-backed Hizbullah, his ally since a surprise rapprochement in 2006.