Solana Gives EU Blessing to Election Plan

 
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana gave his “strong support” Monday to the three-stage Arab League plan to elect a new Lebanese president.

 

Foreign ministers from the 22-member Arab League agreed at a special meeting in Cairo Saturday to elect Army Chief Gen. Michel Suleiman president, form a government of national unity and adopt a new electoral law.

 

“Solana strongly supports the three-stage plan on Lebanon unanimously adopted by the Arab League foreign ministers on January 6,” said the senior diplomat”s spokeswoman Cristina Gallach. “This plan creates a strong momentum.”

 

Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa is due in Lebanon, possibly as early as Wednesday, said a European source. Gallach said Solana wished Moussa every success in finding implementation backing.

 

“(Solana) looks forward to a speedy resumption of functioning democratic institutions,” she added.