Riyadh Encourages Lebanese 'National Consensus to Preserve Civil Peace'

Top Saudi officials have expressed their keenness on Lebanon and have encouraged continued cooperation among its different factions to preserve civil peace, Saudi Ambassador to Beirut Ali Awad Assiri said Friday.

Assiri denied that the officials discussed with Prime Minister Najib Miqati, who was in Riyadh last week to attend the third Arab Economic and Social Development Summit, the controversial electoral draft-law.

“It is a local Lebanese issue and we hope that the Lebanese political factions would reach an agreement that satisfies everyone and guarantees civil peace and stability,” the diplomat told As Safir daily.

He also hoped that a new law would meet the demands of the Lebanese in holding the elections on time.

Assiri reiterated that Riyadh backs “national consensus in Lebanon to preserve civil peace.”

“The best solution should be purely Lebanese. There is no need at all to import solutions from abroad,” he said about foreign meddling.

Rival Lebanese factions have so far failed to agree on a draft-law that would govern this year's parliamentary elections.