Arab Summit to urge Lebanese to elect president, boost army capabilities

The draft closing statement of the Arab Summit that will be held today, Thursday in Manama will express support for “the Lebanese republic and its sovereignty, stability and territorial integrity.”

“We urge all Lebanese parties to give the priority to the election of a president, to strengthen the work of state institutions, to address the political and security challenges, and to implement the necessary economic reforms,” the draft statement says.

It also calls on Lebanon to “enhance the capabilities of the Lebanese Army and the Internal Security Forces to preserve Lebanon’s security and stability and protect its internationally-recognized border in the face of Israeli attacks.”

The statement is expected to be endorsed later in the day when Arab leaders meet in Bahrain for a summit dominated by the Israel-Hamas war which has been raging in the Gaza Strip without a ceasefire in sight.