Forty-Four EU Observers Leave for Beirut

Forty-Four EU Observers Leave for Beirut

Forty-four short-term monitors left for Beirut Tuesday to join the EU delegation monitoring the elections as it continues preparations for the deployment of 100 observers, the mission said in a statement.

The short-term monitors will join 30 long-term observers who have been in Lebanon for the past month overseeing preparations and electoral campaigns ahead of the June 7 polls, the statement said.

The new arrivals, who have received intensive courses on the elections, will be divided into two-member groups and will join other monitors stationed across Lebanon”s 26 districts.

These groups will be in charge of monitoring the electoral process on the day of the elections including "the opening of voting stations, the voting process and vote counting," the statement said.

Delegation head Jose Ignacio Salafranca said the "evaluation carried out by monitors on the day of the elections will be an important part of our primary conclusions. We hope this day will pass smoothly and peacefully." The primary report will be released on June 8.

The monitors will also be joined by EU parliamentarians and four short-term observers who were selected from European embassies in Beirut, the statement said.