Security Council

7190^th Meeting* (PM)

Concerned over Delay of Lebanon’s Presidential Elections, Security Council

Urges Parliament to Hold Ballot Immediately, Reject Outside Interference

 

The Security Council expressed its disappointment and concern that the election of a new President of Lebanon did not take place within the constitutional time frame.

The 15-member body, in a presidential statement (S/PRST/2014/10) on the situation in the Middle East, urged the Lebanese Parliament to uphold Lebanon’s long-standing democratic tradition and to work to ensure that presidential elections took place as soon as possible and without external interference.

The Council also reiterated its full support for the Government of Lebanon, and the need for sustained international support to Lebanon in addressing the economic, security and humanitarian challenges facing the country.

Recalling its presidential statement of 10 July 2013 (S/PRST/2013/9), the Council appealed to all Lebanese parties to preserve national unity in the face of attempts to undermine the country’s stability, consistent with their commitment in the Baabda Declaration, and stressed the importance for all Lebanese parties to respect Lebanon’s policy of disassociation and to refrain from any involvement in the Syrian crisis.

The meeting began at 4:55 p.m. and ended at 4:59 p.m.

Presidential Statement

The full text of presidential statement S/PRST/2014/10 reads as follows:

“The Security Council recalls all its previous resolutions and the statements of its president on the situation in Lebanon.

“The Security Council pays tribute to the work of outgoing Lebanese President Sleiman and expresses its disappointment and concern that the election for a new president of the Republic of Lebanon has not taken place within the constitutional time frame.  The Council urges the Parliament to uphold Lebanon’s long-standing democratic tradition and to work to ensure that presidential elections take place as soon as possible and without external interference.

“The Security Council reiterates its full support for the Government of Lebanon to discharge its duties during this interim period in accordance with the Constitution, until the election of the new president.

“The Security Council looks forward to the continued engagement of the Lebanese authorities with the international community, in particular the International Support Group, to mobilize support for Lebanon.  The Council reiterates the need for sustained international support to Lebanon in addressing the economic, security and humanitarian challenges facing the country and in meeting Lebanon’s international obligations.

“Recalling the presidential statement of 10 July 2013, the Security Council appeals to all Lebanese parties to preserve national unity in the face of attempts to undermine the country’s stability, consistent with their commitment in the Baabda Declaration, and stressed the importance for all Lebanese parties to respect Lebanon’s policy of disassociation and to refrain from any involvement in the Syrian crisis.

“The Security Council also stresses that effective implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006) and all other relevant Security Council resolutions remains crucial to ensuring stability in Lebanon and full respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity, and political independence.”

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*     The 7189^th Meeting was closed.

For information media • not an official record