(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) The EU Monday warned that the Presidential vacuum in Lebanon poses "serious risks for the country as a whole" and called on political forces to take decisive action to elect a new president.
EU High Representative Federica Mogherini issued a Declaration today on behalf of the 28-member European bloc to mark the passage of one year since former President Michel Sleiman of Lebanon left office.
The absence of a president in Lebanon has "undermined the functioning of all institutions and Lebanon's ability to address the difficult security, social and economic challenges facing the country," said the EU.
The Declaration called on all parties to uphold the Constitution, fully implement the Taef Agreement, and the National Pact and stressed importance of dialogue among all political forces to overcome "this deepening crisis." The EU voiced its support to Prime Minister Tammam Salam in his efforts to govern the country in such difficult times. It called on all Members of the Parliament "to uphold Lebanon's longstanding democratic tradition and to convene to elect a President without further delay in line with the Constitution. " Now in its fifth year, the EU warned that the conflict in Syria continues to affect the stability of Lebanon and commended the Lebanese authorities and population for their generous efforts to host, assist and protect the refugees fleeing the conflict in Syria .
It noted that at the donor's conference on Syria in Kuwait at the end of March the EU pledged another 1.1 billion euro including a multi-year humanitarian and development funding for refugees and host countries. "The EU stands by Lebanon in its efforts to address these extraordinary challenges. Our commitment in support of Lebanon is firm and lasting," it added.
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