Saniora Stresses from Cairo Election of President First

Premier Fouad Saniora, who arrived in Cairo on Saturday, stressed that the election of a new president should precede the formation of a national unity cabinet.

 

“We will discuss with President (Husni) Mubarak and other Egyptian officials the various Lebanese issues,” Saniora told reporters at Cairo airport.

 

When asked if there were differences among the Lebanese over shares in the future cabinet, Saniora said: “I believe those are details. We have to start by electing a president for the republic…The constitution states how governments are formed and how a national unity cabinet (is created).”

 

He said he is determined to work for Lebanon”s best interest “by implementing what the constitution states over the election of a president.”

 

Saniora, who is accompanied by acting Foreign Minister Tareq Mitri, is scheduled to meet with Mubarak, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit and Arab League chief Amr Moussa.

 

An Nahar daily said Sunday that Saniora will discuss with the Egyptian officials the results of the Arab Summit that was held in Damascus late March and Lebanon”s demand for an Arab foreign ministers” meeting to tackle Lebanese-Syrian relations.