Baroud Willing to Listen to Visiting Carter
Interior Minister Ziad Baroud on Tuesday said visiting ex-U.S. President Jimmy Carter has neither asked for supervising the forthcoming parliamentary elections nor was asked to do so.
Baroud, talking to reporters a few hours after Carter flew in on a four-day visit, said the former U.S. head of state says he wants to take part in "following up the elections, similar to what has happened in a number of countries."
Baroud said his initial response to such a request is "positive. But it is the cabinet that decides on such issues."
"I believe it is in the interest of Lebanon to open the door to any observation in this regard, provided it is serious," the interior minister explained.
Observers, he said, should be credible and experienced.
"We”ll listen to what Carter has to say and we would be very positive," he concluded.