EU Urges 'Decisive Action' to Elect New President

EU foreign ministers have “strongly” reiterated their call on all the rival political parties to “take decisive action” to elect a new president and put Lebanon's stability and national interest ahead of partisan politics.

“The EU restates its call to all members of the parliament to uphold Lebanon's long-standing democratic tradition and to convene to elect a president without further delay in line with the Constitution,” the ministers said on Monday following a meeting they held in Luxembourg.

“It is of utmost importance that all parties uphold the Constitution, fully implement the Taef Agreement, and the National Pact,” they said.

Their closing statement warned that “the protracted presidential vacuum increasingly poses severe risks for the country as a whole.”

Lebanon has been without a president since Michel Suleiman's six-year tenure ended in May 2014.

“The deepening crisis has further undermined the functioning of the institutions,” said the foreign ministers.

They reiterated their support for the efforts of Prime Minister Tammam Salam to “govern under difficult circumstances” and called on all the parties to enable the government to function properly, including the appointment of high-ranking officials.

The statement welcomed recent steps to foster dialogue and conciliation among the rival parties and encouraged all sides to step up efforts in that regard.

The EU also urged the parliament to meet for urgent legislative matters, including the implementation of international aid.