Major powers call for respect of disassociation policy in Lebanon

PARIS, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Major powers gathered here on Friday and agreed on the necessity to respect the disassociation policy in Lebanon where they said a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran risks dragging the country and region into serious a political row.

At the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, five permanent members of the UN Security Council, the European Union, Arab League, Italy and Germany gathered in the French capital to discuss ways to preserve calm in Beirut.

The international support group for Lebanon said it "recalls the need to protect Lebanon from the crises that are destabilizing the Middle East and calls upon all regional states and organizations to work for the political, social, economic, and financial stability and security of Lebanon, in full respect of its sovereignty and integrity."

"It calls upon all Lebanese parties to implement this tangible policy of disassociation from and non interference in external conflicts, as an important priority," participants said in a joint communique.

Lebanon, where a balance between several ethnic groups is already fragile, risked a new political crisis after its Prime Minister Saad Al-Hariri announced his resignation on Nov. 4 while in Saudi Arabia.

The resignation was reportedly seen as Saudi Arabia's show of force to stem the influence of Iran, its arch rival, in Arab countries, mainly in Lebanon.

The international group also reiterated support of Lebanese authorities' efforts to prepare legislative election by May 2018 "to restore (the country's) normal functioning of institutions".

France plans a donor conference in March 2018 to give a boost to the country's economy. Enditem