|
Cairo: Syria and other Arab nations have agreed to back Lebanon’s army chief as the country’s next president and called on rival parties to resolve their political differences.
During a meeting in Cairo on Saturday, Arab foreign ministers also called on Lebanon to elect a president on January 27 and elect Commander General Michel Suleiman.
"The ministers welcome favourably the consensus around Michel Suleiman as a candidate for the presidency and call for his immediate election," Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa said.
In a statement, the ministers said the new president should have the power to cast his vote to break ties in the Cabinet.
"Stemming from Arab responsibilities toward Lebanon and in continuation of Arab efforts to help Lebanon overcome its crisis, the ministers ... call on the concerned parties in Lebanon to reach a consensus," the foreign ministers said in a statement.
The ministers would agree on a plan for Lebanon to "hold immediate elections and form the national unity government," Moussa said.
Lebanon has been without a president since pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud's term ended November 23 and political parties failed to reach consensus on a candidate.
|
