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UN Security Council concerned over 21-month vacancy in presidency of Lebanon

Xinhua, March 18, 2016 Adjust font size:

The UN Security Council on Thursday expressed its deep concern over the 21-month vacancy in the presidency of Lebanon and the current political stalemate in government.

The 21-month vacancy and the current political stalemate in government "seriously impair Lebanon's ability to address the security, economic, social, and humanitarian challenges facing the country," the council said in a press statement.

The council also expressed concern at the Parliament's inability to elect a president following a lack of quorum and reaffirmed its call on all Lebanese leaders to act responsibly and with leadership and flexibility to urgently convene a parliamentary session and proceed to the election of a president.

Nonetheless, it commended the government of Lebanon for setting the dates for local elections and further called on the Lebanese authorities to hold them within the set calendar.

The council underlined the negative impact of the Syrian crisis on Lebanon's stability and the immediate threat to its security, since due to border violations, there is "the presence of terrorist and violent extremist groups in Lebanese territory and the deepening involvement of some Lebanese parties in the fighting in Syria."

The hosting of over 1 million Syrian refugees has also taken a toll on Lebanon. The council noted that "support to Lebanon's efforts to manage the impact of the influx of refugees, including on essential services such as education and health, is crucial to preserving Lebanon's stability and security."

Therefore, the 15-member body welcomed pledges made on Feb. 4 at Syria donors conference in London and urged the international community to "urgently disburse those pledges and encourages the implementation of the mutual commitments." Enditem