I would like on my own behalf and that of my colleagues, the ambassadors of the five permanent members of the Security Council, to thank His Beatitude the Patriarch for inviting us to meet with him today.
The Patriarch underlined to us his concern about the continuing inability of Parliament to elect a President and the resultant vacancy in the office of the Presidency. We share that concern.
The process of selecting a new President must remain a Lebanese one. But Lebanon’s friends in the international community have a strong interest in its completion successfully, and as soon as possible. At a time of conflict and instability in other parts of the region, and when Lebanon itself faces multiple economic, humanitarian and security challenges, a prolonged vacuum in the highest office of the Lebanese state would indeed be a matter of grave concern.
We call therefore on Lebanon’s leaders, and members of parliament to engage intensively to ensure the election of a President without further delay. Lebanon’s long standing democratic tradition and the challenges the country presently faces mean that this is indeed a matter of great importance to us all.
Once again I thank the Patriarch for inviting us to Bkirki and for sharing his concern with us, which as I said we share.