UN Security Council urges Lebanon to elect a president

The UN Security Council has renewed its call for the Lebanese parliament to choose a new president, warning that leaving the country without a political head paralyses the economy, undermines stability and encourages terrorism, a statement from the international body said on Friday.

“The Security Council stresses that the election of a president, the formation of a unity government and the election of a parliament by May 2017 are critical for Lebanon’s stability and resilience to withstand regional challenges,” said the UN. “The Security Council encourages all parties in Lebanon to demonstrate renewed unity and determination to resist a slide into violence and conflict.”

The Lebanese parliament has failed to choose a president since the end of the term of the previous holder of the post, President Michel Sleiman, on 24 May, 2014.

“The Security Council further expresses deep concern at the Parliament’s repeated inability to form a quorum and elect a President,” explained the UN. “This prolonged vacancy has led to blockages in the council of ministers and rendered the Parliament incapable of passing critical legislation.” It stressed that the “vacancy and the resulting political paralysis seriously impair Lebanon’s ability to address the growing security, economic, social and humanitarian challenges facing the country.”

Meanwhile, the Security Council called on “Lebanese leaders to adhere to Lebanon’s Constitution and National Pact and calls on all parties to act responsibly [and] put Lebanon’s stability and national interests ahead of partisan politics.”