Lebanon remained bogged down in a severe political crisis largely due to the failure to elect anew president, the UN special envoy to that country said Thursday.
Terje Roed-Larsen told the UN Security Council that the presidency had remained vacant since Nov. 24, 2007 despite the sustained efforts of Lebanese, regional and international players.
The electoral void had fueled political polarization and impeded the normal functioning of legitimate constitutional institutions, particularly the government and Parliament, he said.
It had also contributed to violent and dangerous confrontations between the opposing parties, leading to casualties, he said.
The Lebanese people would have a unique opportunity to open a new chapter in their difficult history, he continued.
They and their political representatives must rise to the occasion and elect a president without any conditions beyond those prescribed by the Constitution.
Such an election would signify a major milestone, he added.
For the eighteenth time, the presidential election in Lebanon has been postponed to May 13. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged the Lebanese Parliament to convene on that date to fulfill its constitutional duties.
Source:Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article