Fletcher Says Baabda Vacuum has 'Disastrous Results,' Expresses Fears about Terrorists

British Ambassador Tom Fletcher has said that the election of a new president in Lebanon does not require the involvement of other countries, expressing disappointment at the failure of MPs to choose a head of state and warning of its dire consequences.

The constitution is clear in terms of the election of a new head of state, Fletcher told As Safir daily in an interview published on Friday.

He urged lawmakers to head to parliament and choose a successor to President Michel Suleiman whose term ended in May.

The election “does not require meetings in Iran, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Britain or the U.S.,” he said.

The ambassador expressed “sadness” and “disappointment” at the vacuum in Baabda Palace and reiterated that the election of a president is the solution to all other problems in the country.

The absence of a head of state had “disastrous consequences,” including the extension of parliamentarian’s mandate, which was approved by 95 lawmakers last week, Fletcher said.

The vote gave parliament eight full years in power— double its allowed mandate — to June 2017.

The new president should call for dialogue among the Lebanese and become the symbol of unity, with whom all factions should cooperate to consolidate stability, he said.

“The presidential vacuum is a free gift to each side that does not want stability in Lebanon,” he added.

Fletcher expressed regret that the absence of a president caused a second extension in parliament's term. “It is about time for the Lebanese people to hold officials accountable. MPs come only through elections.”

In response to some proposals on restructuring the Lebanese political system, the diplomat told As Safir that thinking about a new constitution has many challenges, which Lebanon currently does not need.

“Lebanon is a tiny country and can't be divided,” Fletcher said in response to a question about proposals on creating a federal system in the country.

Fletcher hailed the Lebanese army and security forces in their cooperation to control the security situation.

But expressed fears of imminent dangers because the authority of the state has eroded.

“The biggest security danger lies on the border because it carries the threat of moving the Syrian war to Lebanon,” the ambassador told As Safir.

He was referring to al-Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front and Islamic State group extremists who in August overran the northeastern border town of Arsal and engaged in bloody clashes with the army.

The extremists took with them hostages from the army and police and later executed three of them.

Britain's chief of the defense staff General Sir Nicholas Houghton announced last month further support in training and equipment to the Lebanese army.

Britain has so far trained more than 3,500 Lebanese soldiers, who have fought in the northern city of Tripoli with extremists and in Arsal with the two terrorist groups.

“The UK will continue to invest in training to protect Lebanon and win any potential battle with the terrorist groups,” said Fletcher.

G.K.

H.K.