EU urges Lebanese political forces to find compromise to elect president swiftly

The European Union (EU) here on Thursday again urged Lebanese political forces and all stakeholders to put partisan and individual interests aside and find a viable compromise to elect a president swiftly.

According to a declaration of EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini on behalf of the EU, Lebanon entered "its third year without a president", and "the prolonged political crisis can only further weaken the country and its institutions in facing many challenges."

The declaration said that "Lebanon cannot afford to wait for the region to solve its problems before it addresses this issue."

The declaration also noted that the EU commends the Lebanese people for their efforts to host refugees fleeing the conflict in Syria. The EU and its member states are committed to supporting Lebanon, its host institutions and public services in addressing the growing needs of all vulnerable host communities and refugees.

On Tuesday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon 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 former President Michel Suleiman, whose mandate expired on May 24, 2014. Endit