Eyes on Lebanon”s Elections
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said the international community would closely watch the forthcoming Parliamentary elections that are "decisive for the Lebanon reconciliation."
In an interview with the pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat, Sarkozy pledged that "no one would accept that Lebanon”s independence and the sovereignty of its people are targeted in any way."
The elections, he added, should be held with "maximum transparency and fairness."
Sarkozy expressed "satisfaction, in general, with the Lebanon developments."
"Six months ago Lebanon was plunged in a very deep political crisis … the shadow of civil war was hanging over the country," Sarkozy explained.
"President Michel Suleiman was elected, a national unity government was formed, Lebanese institutions are functioning again, the security situation improved, an election law was adopted and preparations are underway for the elections of the forthcoming spring," he recalled.
Nevertheless, Sarkozy noted, "we haven”t reached end of the March. So many stages have to be crossed, but we should admit that the situation is better."
He expressed hope that Lebanon and Syria would exchange ambassadors before end of the year.