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Security Council concerned over two-year vacancy of Lebanon's presidency

Xinhua, May 25, 2016 Adjust font size:

The United Nations Security Council on Tuesday voiced its deep concern over the two-year vacancy in Lebanon's presidency since the mandate of former President Michel Suleiman expired on May 24, 2014.

In a press statement, the 15-member body "underlined in the strongest possible terms their concern over this prolonged vacancy, which has led to blockages in the Council of Ministers, and rendered the Parliament incapable of passing critical legislation."

The council also noted 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."

Expressing its deep concern at the Lebanese parliament's repeated inability to form a quorum and elect a president, the council called on "all Lebanese leaders to act responsibly and with leadership and flexibility to convene urgently a parliamentary session and proceed to the election of a president."

On Tuesday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also reiterated his call for all Lebanese leaders "to act responsibly to elect a president without any further delay in accordance with the country's constitution."

In March, the Lebanese parliament failed for the 37th time in a row to elect a president to replace Suleiman. Endi