BEIRUT: France pledged full backing to Lebanon’s security Wednesday, stressing that no efforts should be spared to preserve the country from the effects of raging conflicts in the Middle East.
Speaking in a chat with the media, the spokesperson of the Quai d’Orsay, France’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, Philippe Lalliot also called for maintaining Lebanon’s policy of disassociating itself from the Syrian crisis and deplored Lebanese officials' failure to elect a new president.
“We denounce any attempts aimed at compromising Lebanon’s stability and reaffirm our support to the Lebanese authorities and institutions, notably those in charge of security which are performing to preserve the country’s national unity and stability,” Lalliot said in comments made available to The Daily Star by the French embassy.
“Everything possible should be done to safeguard Lebanon from the effects of ongoing regional conflicts,” Lalliot said.
The French official deplored the failure of Lebanon’s politicians to elect a new president within constitutional deadlines, highlighting the urgency of reaching an agreement over the next head of state.
“ France is a friend of Lebanon, and we believe that it is important that Lebanese politicians and officials ensure the good functioning of public institutions and fully commit to have a quick (presidential) election,” Lalliot said.
He said the future head of state would have to deal with the tremendous challenges facing the country, work on preserving national unity and maintain the policy of disassociation from the Syrian conflict in line with the Baabda Declaration.
A day earlier, British Ambassador in Lebanon Tom Fletcher expressed appreciation for the work of Lebanese security apparatuses and called on Lebanon’s friends to support its bid to maintain stability in a turbulent Middle East.
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