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UN calls for normalization of Lebanon's institutions work

Xinhua, July 3, 2015 Adjust font size:

The United Nations (UN) Special Coordinator for Lebanon Sigrid Kaag stressed Thursday on the need for the constitutional institutions in Lebanon to work normally, which should start with the urgent need to elect a new president.

Lebanon has been without a president since May 2014 when the six-year term of former President Michel Suleiman ended.

The parliament has failed in 25 consecutive times to elect a new president because of lack of the constitutionally required quorum of two thirds of the parliament seats.

In a UN statement, Kaag stressed the need to elect a president of the republic for the regularity of the work of all constitutional institutions, adding that otherwise, Lebanon is at risk of losing lots of aids and international loans.

Kaag has informed Prime Minister Tammam Salam of the date of her visit to the United Nations to submit a detailed report on the situation in Lebanon and the implementation of resolution 1701.

Kaag also expressed concerns about the current situation in the border town of Arsal, the Syrian refugees' dossier and the impact of their displacement on Lebanon and hosting communities.

The situation on the eastern borders with Syria remains a hot topic since last August when the gunmen of al-Qaida linked al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State overran Arsal and engaged in a five-day battle with the Lebanese army.

According to the UN Higher Commission for Refugees, Lebanon hosts more that 1.2 million Syrian refugees, which has become a heavy burden to Lebanon. Endit