International concerns about repercussions of presidential vacuum in Lebanon

BEIRUT — In a statement released by the office of caretaker Prime Minister of Lebanon Najib Mikati on Monday, envoys from five countries warned of the consequences of not electing a president for Lebanon after 11 unsuccessful attempts.

They emphasized that this power vacuum would necessitate a reassessment of their relations with Lebanon.

The statement also confirmed that the envoys stressed that genuine support for Lebanon would only begin after electing a president and implementing the necessary reforms.

On 6 February, diplomats and ambassadors representing France, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt held a meeting in Paris to discuss the situation in Lebanon.

“No statement was issued by the Paris meeting because the meetings are open-ended and continuous for the sake of supporting Lebanon and encouraging the election of a new president,” the office added in a statement, quoting the ambassadors.

On Monday, the envoys visited Nabih Berri, Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, to brief him about the Paris meeting, which may lead to reevaluation of relations with Lebanon due to the turmoil inside Lebanon. 

Since last October, the Lebanese Parliament has failed to elect a new president due to political divisions, continuous economic deterioration, the absence of social security, and corruption in Lebanese state institutions.