Lebanon under increasing pressure to elect new president

The European Union reiterated Friday its expectation that a new president would be elected without further delay, pressing on the parliament to pass the urging legislations including a new electoral law.

"The ambassadors reiterated the EU's expectation that a new president would be elected without further delay and that parliament would speedily advance on pressing legislation, including a new electoral law with a view to legislative elections," said Maciej Golubiewski, Charge d'Affaires of the Delegation of the European Union to Lebanon.

He make the remarks following the meeting of the EU ambassadors to Lebanon with prime Minister Tammam Salam at the Grand Serail.

According to a release by the EU, during the meeting, the ambassadors expressed strong support for Salam in his efforts "to keep the government stable and functioning in light of the continuing political stalemate and the Presidential vacuum."

It added that "they underscored EU's support for the right of the Lebanese citizens to assemble and to petition their government for the effective application of the rule of law and transparency in public policy."

The EU diplomats underscored that citizens "have a right to enjoy basic services, to have an accountable government and functioning state institutions." Endit