Blinken Urges Lebanon to Carry out Urgent Reforms, Hold Fair Elections
Arab World
Beirut - Asharq Al-Awsat
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati held on Tuesday a number of meetings, on the sidelines of his participation in the COP26 Climate Change Summit in Glasgow, where he discussed with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson the latest developments in Lebanon. A statement by the US Department of State said that Blinken underlined “continuing US support for the Lebanese people as the country suffers the effects of a historic economic crisis.” The statement added: “[Blinken] encouraged the Prime Minister to implement reforms to rescue the country and restore international confidence. The Secretary also emphasized the importance of holding free and fair elections in the spring of 2022.” He “reiterated that the United States would continue to work with Lebanon for peace and prosperity in the region.” According to a statement from Mikati’s office, Blinken stressed “support for the government’s continued efforts to restore stability and achieve economic recovery and the ongoing negotiations with the International Monetary Fund, leading to the holding of parliamentary elections.” The US official emphasized continued “support for the army and the educational, health and environmental sectors.” He also conveyed “the special importance and affection that US President Joe Biden attaches to Lebanon, its stability and recovery, in preparation for its revival.” Blinken described his meeting with the PM as “fruitful,” tweeting: “Productive meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati at COP26. We discussed the need to implement urgent reforms to address Lebanon’s economic crisis and to hold free and fair elections next year.” Mikati met separately on Monday with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, with whom he discussed the situation in South Lebanon and the existing cooperation between the army and UN peacekeeping forces (UNIFIL). Guterres promised to visit Lebanon before the end of this year.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3282531/blinken-urges-lebanon-carry-out-urgent-reforms-hold-fair-elections
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