Tuesday, April 18, 2017

INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT GROUP (ISG) FOR LEBANON: TO INTENSIFIE EFFORTS, CARRY OUT FREE ELECTIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH CONSTITUTION

Tue 18 Apr 2017
NNA - The members of the ISG take note of the decision of President Michel Aoun of 12 April to adjourn the chamber for one month. They also take note of Speaker Nabih Berri's announcement to convene the next session on 15 May. 
In the spirit of sustaining progress, the ISG members encourage Lebanon's leaders to make maximum use of the resulting time frame to intensify their efforts to arrive at an agreed electoral framework for free and fair elections, in accordance with the Constitution. 
The ISG members stress once more the importance of timely elections to preserve Lebanon's democratic process and call upon Lebanon's leaders to reach an agreement as soon as possible through political consultations. 
It is worth to note that the International Support Group has brought together the governments of China, France, Germany, Italy, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States, together with the European Union and the Arab League. 
It was launched in September 2013 by the UN Secretary-General with President Sleiman to help mobilize support and assistance for Lebanon's stability, sovereignty and state institutions and to specifically encourage assistance for the Lebanese Army, Syrian refugees in Lebanon and host communities and government programs and public services impacted by the Syrian crisis.