Feltman: Washington For a Lebanese President In Line with 1559
| U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey Feltman stressed to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri Thursday that Washington supports the holding of presidential elections within the constitutional schedule, in line with the constitution and without foreign intervention. Feltman, talking to reporters after a meeting with Berri, said his talks with the Parliament speaker remain confidential. However, the U.S. Ambassador said that he reiterated to Berri Washington’s stand which adheres to U.N. Security Council Resolution 1559 of 2004 that called for the election of a head of state without foreign intervention and in line with Lebanon’s constitution. Feltman also stressed that it is the responsibility of the Lebanese Parliament to elect a president without foreign intervention, including that of the United States. He said it is not for the United States to name candidates, and expressed confidence that parliament would elect a president committed to Lebanon’s independence, democracy, sovereignty, unity and plurality. Asked whether he supports the election of a new head of state by simple majority, Feltman said the United States supports the election of a new president in line with the Lebanese constitution, stressing that interpreting the constitution is up to the Lebanese. “This is your constitution, not ours.” In answering a question as to whether the United States supports the election of a president from the March 14 alliance ranks or on a consensus base, Feltman said Washington does not want to get involved in what should be a Lebanese decision. |
| Beirut, 30 Aug 07 |
