Welch Meets Suleiman, Stresses on “Importance” of Presidential Election

U.S. Envoy David Welch on Sunday met Army Commander Gen. Michel Suleiman and stressed on the “importance of holding the presidential election” as Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri sought to absorb a “last chance” warning by French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

 

The state-run National News Agency (NNA) said Welch, who has been in Lebanon since Saturday, conveyed to Suleiman a “message of (US.) support for the Lebanese army.”

 

The two officials also discussed “cooperation between the U.S. and Lebanese armed forces.” The report added without further elaboration.

 

The Welch-Suleiman meeting came amidst efforts by Berri to absorb a U.S.-backed French warning that Monday is the last chance to elect a president, saying the legislature”s time frame to accomplish the mission extends to December 31.

 

Berri”s remark followed U.S. backing to French President Nicolas Sarkozy that Monday is the “last chance” to elect a president for Lebanon.

 

“We respect the French president, but Monday is not the last chance,” Berri was quoted by the daily an-Nahar as telling his visitors.

 

“We are working day and night to accomplish this election. The chance is not open till Monday only, but to end of this year. That is why we hope to elect a new president before end of the year,” Berri added.

 

The Parliament speaker, who also is a prominent leader of the Hizbullah-led opposition, made the remark on Saturday after Welch voiced support for Sarkozy”s stand, Premier Fouad Saniora”s majority government and “any decisions” that would be taken by the March 14 majority alliance to elect a president.

 

Welch said he “made several points to the speaker (Berri) speaking on behalf of the American administration.”

“I think President Sarkozy is right. It is time to elect a president,” Welch said.

 

Welch”s talks Sunday with Gen. Suleiman, the frontrunner for the presidential office, was the last topic on the agenda of his mission in Lebanon, apparently aimed at declaring support for holding presidential elections.

 

Suleiman”s nomination to the top post has been accepted by the feuding factions, despite an ongoing dispute on the mechanism to amend the constitution, a step needed to open the door for his election.

 

The U.S. envoy held talks on Saturday with Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir, Berri, Saniora, Defense Minister Elias Murr, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, al-Moustaqbal Movement leader Saad Hariri and Druze leader Walid Jumblat.

 

Welch discussed with Berri the need to elect a president “as long as the Lebanese factions have reached consensus on Gen. Suleiman.”

 

“The United States believes that it is time now to elect a new president,” said the U.S. assistant secretary of state for Near East affairs after his round of talks on Saturday.

 

Welch”s agenda in Lebanon, as released, did not include a meeting with Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun, who has been assigned by the opposition to negotiate with the majority a parcel of conditions set to facilitate Suleiman”s election.

 

An-Nahar said Berri briefed Aoun by telephone on the talks with Welch.

 

Sources from the March 14 majority noted that the alliance would have a new plan of action to follow if a head of state was not voted into office by end of this year.

 

Details of such action plan, however, have not been disclosed.

 

Welch said on Saturday: “it is time for this process to be completed. There is no reason for any further delay.”

“We understand that Lebanon has done the most difficult work of finding a candidate who represents the consensus,” Welch said in reference to Suleiman.

 

“It is not our job to find a president for Lebanon. It is Lebanon”s job and that job has been done.”

 

On Monday MPs must “fulfill their duty … to restore dignity and respect to the most important Christian office” and elect a president, Welch said, stressing that Washington “supports the majority and their decision” concerning the election.

 

“We know there are many pressures from within and from outside, but the American people and the administration will support Lebanon,” Welch said in reference to Syria, Iran and the Hizbullah-led opposition.