A U.S. envoy on Saturday called on Lebanese rival leaders to move swiftly to select a new president for the country.
The United States believes that "it is time now to elect a new president," U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Welch told reporters.
It is time for the members of parliament to "fulfill their dutyand go to parliament and vote. This is what Lebanon needs to face the challenges it has," he added.
The assistant state secretary, which arrived earlier Saturday, kicked off his talks with a meeting with Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir.
He is also set to meet with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Fouad Seniora, and other officials, including leading figures of the March 14 Movement.
Welch's visit comes just two days prior to a parliamentary session for the presidential election scheduled on Monday.
A Lebanese presidential election scheduled for Tuesday was postponed till Dec. 17, to give rival leaders more time for reaching a deal on electing the Army Chief Gen. Michel Suleiman asthe country's new president.
It is the eighth postponement since Sept. 25, which left the presidency vacant since former President Emile Lahoud stepped downon Nov. 24.
Lebanese ruling coalition and the opposition have been separated by a wide chasm since six of the latter's ministers resigned from Premier Fouad Seniora's government in November last year.
Source:Xinhua
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