By NNN-KUNA
United Nations : UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, extremely concerned over the continuing delays in the election of a new Lebanese president, has urged the Lebanese political leaders to resolve the matter without further delay.
His deputy spokesperson, Marie Okabe, told the daily press briefing Wednesday, the secretary-general “believes it is now time for this matter to be resolved without further delay.” She said that the delay has extended well past the constitutional timeframe.
Okabe said Ban spoke over the past few days with key political leaders in the country, including Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, Speaker Nabih Berri and Majority Leader Saad Hariri to urge them to find a solution.
“The secretary-general will remain in close touch with Lebanese political leaders who bear, both to the people of Lebanon and to the future of the country, the responsibility to find a solution,” she stressed.
Lebanon’s presidential elections scheduled for last Friday were delayed for the sixth time till this Friday, Berri’s office announced last Thursday.