By NNN-KUNA
Beirut : US Assistant Secretary of State for Middle East Affairs David Welch has expressed his country’s full support for the Lebanese Army, also stressing the importance of the presidential elections in Lebanon be conducted as soon as possible.
The US official, who visited Army Commander General Michel Suleiman to offer his condolences on the death of Brigadier General Francois Al-Hajj, who was tipped to succeed him, said Sunday he bears a message of support for the Lebanese Army as it strives to maintain stability and security.
The official late Saturday night met leader of the Future Bloc MP Saad Al-Hariri and discussed the recent developments in Lebanon. He said, Saturday, the American Administration thinks that it is time to elect the president of Lebanon.
He considered the date set for the election of the Lebanese president an important, even historic day.
Welch also met, Saturday, with head of the Democratic Forum in Parliament MP Walid Jumblatt.
The Lebanese Parliament is to convene Monday to elect the new Lebanese president, in the ninth sitting originally allocated for this purpose.
There were eight delays as Lebanese parties failed to reach agreement over nominees for the post.