International Observers from Non-Profit Group Arrive in Lebanon
The National Democratic Institute (NDI) announced Wednesday the arrival of its international observer delegation to monitor the Lebanese June 7 elections.
The 44-member delegation includes: John E. Sununu, former U.S. senator from New Hampshire; Audrey McLaughlin, former leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada; Robin Carnahan, secretary of state of Missouri; and Frank G. Wisner, former U.S. ambassador to Egypt and India.
The mission aims to "demonstrate the international community”s interest in the development of the democratic political process and governance in Lebanon," the institute said in a statement.
The delegation also seeks to "present an accurate and impartial assessment of the political environment and activities surrounding and including the June 7 polls."
As part of preparations for their deployment, the observers will meet with party leaders, government officials and representatives of major alliances in addition to leaders from women”s groups, civil society and the international community.
The team will rely on the findings of the NDI”s pre-election delegation that assessed the political climate in the country during a visit from May 5-8.
In its report, the previous delegation noted the "positive political reforms under the new electoral law." It also made a number of recommendations for steps that can boost "the credibility" of the elections, the statement said.
The new delegation includes observers from 21 countries such as Nigeria, Sweden, Morocco and Turkey. They also include current and former government, political party and election officials, parliamentarians, representatives of democracy and human rights organizations in addition to scholars.