Riyadh calls for electing Lebanese president as soon as possible

Saudi Arabia has stressed the need to “finalize the Lebanese presidential juncture as soon as possible so that it contributes to rescuing Lebanon.”

The kingdom’s stance came in a statement issued by the Saudi embassy after talks in Diman between Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid Bukhari and Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi.

Bukhari said “the visit comes as part of the constant communication with the patriarch.”

The embassy meanwhile said that “the meeting was an occasion to demonstrate the bilateral ties between the two countries and means to develop them.”

“There was a discussion over the latest developments in the Lebanese arena, especially the presidential juncture, and the need to finalize it as soon as possible so that it contributes to rescuing Lebanon,” it added.

It also said that the presidential election should be “unifying for all Lebanese” and should “strengthen the ties to the Arab neighborhood.”

Bkirki spokesman Walid Ghayyad for his part said that the meeting tackled “the efforts that the kingdom is carrying out domestically and internationally, especially with the French, to push for the election of a president as soon as possible.”

“On behalf of the kingdom, Ambassador Bukhari expressed keenness on stability in Lebanon and on protecting the constitution and the Taif Accord, as well as the need that no one impose conditions on the Lebanese, emphasizing that the kingdom respects the will of the Lebanese and that it will cooperate with any decision that they may take,” Ghayyad added.