19.6 C
London
Saturday, September 30, 2023
More
    HomeNewsAsiaSaudi ambassador urges Lebanon to accelerate presidential election

    Saudi ambassador urges Lebanon to accelerate presidential election

    - Advertisement -

    Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Lebanon has renewed his call for the country to speed up its presidential elections, amid an ongoing gridlock in the process.

    According to the Saudi newspaper, Asharq Al-Awsat, Saudi ambassador, Walid Al-Bukhari, met Lebanon’s Foreign Minister, Abdallah Bou Habib, yesterday during a tour with Lebanese political figures, after which he stressed the importance of the country and its people electing a president, half a year after former President, Michel Aoun, ended his term without a successor to replace him.

    “We [Saudis] share the same desire with the international community to see the completion of the presidential elections [in Lebanon] as soon as possible,” Bukhari was quoted as saying. “I want Lebanon to be, as it was, an oasis of thought and culture of life, and for its people to enjoy prosperity.”

    As it stands, Lebanon’s political parties are still agreeing on the presidential candidates themselves, with the Shia parties Hezbollah and the Amal movement supporting Suleiman Frangieh – the head of Christian party, the Marada Movement – while the opposition is yet to agree on a candidate to support.

    READ: Lebanon caretaker Premier calls for ‘saving’ country by electing new president

    Opposition parties are currently divided between backing Army Commander, General Joseph Aoun, former lawmaker, Salah Honien and former ministers, Jihad Azour and Ziad Baroud. It also remains unclear whether Gebran Bassil, the head of the former president’s Free Patriotic Movement, would join the opposition in rejecting Frangieh’s candidacy.

    According to the paper, sources from the Christian-based Lebanese Forces party assured it that opposition parties are in talks to unify their position, and that if that party could agree with the Free Patriotic Movement, they would both secure a parliamentary majority with over 65 votes.

    Those sources also indicated that Bassil has already made a decision on who to support – without disclosing who – but that he is refraining from announcing that decision as he is trying to ensure Hezbollah would first back down from supporting Frangieh.

    The paper also quoted the sources as renewing their call for Parliamentary Speaker, Nabih Berri, to hold open sessions to elect the president, saying that it would lead to naming a candidate who reflects the aspirations of the Lebanese people instead of an Iran-backed candidate who works for the ‘axis of resistance’.

    Saudi ambassador Bukhari’s insistence on the continuation of progress in Lebanon’s presidential election came barely a week after he reaffirmed Riyadh’s neutrality and non-interference in the Lebanese electoral process, after stating earlier this month that the Kingdom does “not accept the ongoing presidential vacuum that threatens the stability and unity” of the country and its people.

    READ: Saudi-Iran deal will reflect positively on Lebanon, official says

    FB.AppEvents.logPageView();

    };

    (function(d, s, id){ var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;} js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));

    Middle East Monitor

    - Advertisement -

    LEAVE A REPLY

    Please enter your comment!
    Please enter your name here

    Keep exploring...

    Complete Guide to Eid Prayer: Rituals, Cleanliness, Process, and More

    Eid Prayer is a significant festival in Islam, marking the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. One of the most important aspects...

    Eid Al-Fitr: A Comprehensive Guide to Recommended Acts on the Day of Celebration

    Eid Al-Fitr, often referred to as "Eid," is one of the most significant and joyous festivals in the Islamic calendar. It marks the end...

    Related Stories

    Varanasi Court Upholds ASI’s Scientific Survey of Gyanvapi Mosque Complex

    In a recent development, a local court in Varanasi has dismissed the plea from...

    Global Wellness Summit Explores Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine

    Doha, Qatar: The 17th Global Wellness Summit, set to unfold from November 6 to...

    Man Apprehended Following Violent Assault on Devotees at Unnao Temple in Uttar Pradesh

    A tumultuous scene unfolded at the serene premises of the Baba Bodheshwar Mahadev Temple...

    Tragedy Strikes as Pakistan Mourns: Twin Mosque Bombings Claim Over 55 Lives

    In a heartbreaking turn of events, Pakistan has been left in mourning as two...

    Controversial Vigilante Act in Uttarakhand: Accused Man Subjected to Public Shaming

    In a startling incident that has stirred controversy in Uttarakhand's Tehri Garhwal district, a...

    Hong Kong Muslim Community Advocates for Greater Cultural Sensitivity in Schools Regarding Facial Hair

    In a recent incident at Man Kwan Pak Kau College in Tin Shui Wai,...

    Uttar Pradesh Teacher Arrested for Alleged Communal Incident in Classroom

    In a recent development, the Uttar Pradesh Police apprehended a schoolteacher on Thursday for...

    Inspiring Journey: Guinean Student’s Epic Bike Ride to Secure a Spot at a Top Islamic University

    In a remarkable display of determination, Mamadou Safaiou Barry, a young Guinean student, embarked...

    Explore More Articles

    Welcome to the enlightening realm of our Islamic Articles Page – a digital sanctuary where knowledge, spirituality, and the rich tapestry of Islamic culture converge. In an era where information flows ceaselessly and the world seems to spin faster each day, our platform stands as a steadfast beacon of wisdom and reflection.