UN chief urges election of new Lebanese president

Visiting UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday urged political powers to end the presidential vacuum "as soon as possible" in Lebanon.

According to the National News Agency, Ban made the remarks after a meeting with Prime Minister Tammam Salam at the Grand Serail, saying the political situation in Lebanon does not serve stability.

"Lebanon is a symbol of diversity in the region and the presidential vacuum should be resolved as soon as possible," he said.

Ban expressed his "deepest condolences" to Lebanon over the death of a soldier in a roadside bomb earlier on Thursday.

The soldier was killed and three others injured in a roadside bomb explosion that targeted an army patrol in the northeastern border town of Arsal.

Commenting on the refugee crisis in Lebanon, the UN chief said the international community is ready and committed to help Lebanon.

Prime Minister Salam called for further support for the Lebanese army against terrorist threats, and highlighted the Syrian refugees in Lebanon, saying that "the country is no longer able to bear more burdens."

The meeting between Salam and Ban was also attended by World Bank chief Jim Yong Kim and Islamic Development Bank President Ahmed Mohamed Ali Al-Madani.

Kim urged the country to reactivate political institutions, most notably parliament, in order to benefit from financial grants pledged to the country.

He revealed that the World Bank had offered 100 million U.S. dollars to Lebanon's education sector in recognition of its education of refugees.

Moreover, agreements worth around 400 million dollars were also signed during Salam's meetings with the officials.

The UN chief arrived in Lebanon on Thursday for a two-day visit. Endit