International Support Group Urges 'Agreed Electoral Framework, Timely Elections'

The International Support Group for Lebanon on Tuesday urged Lebanese leaders to reach an “agreed electoral framework” and to organize “timely elections.”

“The members of the ISG take note of the decision of President Michel Aoun of 12 April to adjourn the chamber for one month. They also take note of Speaker Nabih Berri’s announcement to convene the next session on 15 May,” the members said in a joint statement.

“In the spirit of sustaining progress, the ISG members encourage Lebanon’s leaders to make maximum use of the resulting time frame to intensify their efforts to arrive at an agreed electoral framework for free and fair elections, in accordance with the Constitution,” they added.

The ISG members also reiterated “the importance of timely elections to preserve Lebanon’s democratic process,” calling upon Lebanon’s leaders to “reach an agreement as soon as possible through political consultations.”

The International Support Group has brought together the governments of China, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, the UK and the U.S., together with the European Union and the Arab League.

It was launched in September 2013 by the U.N. Secretary-General with then-President Michel Suleiman to help mobilize support and assistance for Lebanon’s stability, sovereignty and state institutions.