German, Saudi ministers press Syria

 

The German and Saudi foreign ministers called on Syria to help clear the way for the election of a new Lebanese president, the German Foreign Ministry said Friday.
 
Lebanon has been without a president since November, when the pro-Western parliament majority and the opposition — led by the Syrian-backed militant group Hezbollah — failed to agree on the composition of a future government after a consensus candidate is elected head of state.

 

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his Saudi counterpart, Saud al-Faisal, discussed their “common concern” over Lebanon during a meeting in Berlin on Friday, a ministry statement said.

 

“Both ministers stressed that all parties in Lebanon and the region are urgently called upon to make possible the election of a new president and the formation of a government on the basis of the initiative of the Arab League,” it said.

 

They stressed that “Syria must also make a contribution to this now,” the statement added.

 

Germany has sought to draw Syria into efforts to solve the Middle East”s problems even though it continues to criticize Damascus publicly, particularly over its role in Lebanon. Steinmeier met his Syrian counterpart in Berlin last month.

 

Friday”s statement said Steinmeier underlined his call for Syria to play “a constructive role in the region.”