The EU High Representative for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, expressed Tuesday his concern about the «political vacuum» in which Lebanon is plunged, aggravated after the end of the mandate of President Michel Aoun, due to the inability of the Parliament to elect a successor.
Lawmakers have failed in their four attempts to name a replacement for the veteran Christian leader, 89. The post has been left vacant, at a time when Lebanon «faces a worsening socio-economic situation,» according to Borrell.
«The EU calls once again on Lebanese leaders to organize presidential elections and form a government with the utmost urgency,» added the head of European diplomacy, who recalled in a statement that there has been no political agreement since the general elections in May.
In this regard, he stressed that in July the bloc has already renewed the framework of sanctions that allows to punish those who «block a solution to the Lebanese crisis», although he reiterated that the EU is ready to help Lebanon to achieve «the recovery and stability it deserves».
Borrell urged the local leaders to «assume their responsibilities» and take measures, with a view also to face the process of pending reforms and to finalize the agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that would give a minimum of aid to the very poor local economy.
