Zasypkin: We Hope Elections will be Held after Consensus, Not under Foreign Diktats
Russian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Zasypkin on Tuesday said his country hopes the parliamentary elections in Lebanon will be held after “consensus” among the various parties, not “under foreign diktats,” a day after the U.S. ambassador called for holding elections on time.
“We stress that Russia is committed to Lebanon's sovereignty and unity and we back the country's self-distancing policy and the measures taken by the Lebanese authorities, especially the army, to preserve security and stability in Lebanon,” Zasypkin said after talks with Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh in Bnachii.
“We also support the measures taken to prevent the smuggling of arms and the infiltration of fighters, which would prevent any strife,” the Russian envoy added.
Turning to the issue of the elections, Zasypkin said: “We hope parliamentary elections will happen in Lebanon after consensus, not under foreign diktats, as elections must serve stability and be held within the Lebanese democratic framework.”
Asked whether his remarks were in response to the stance voiced Monday by U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly, Zasypkin added: “We have a clear stance on refraining from meddling in Lebanon's domestic affairs and we hope other parties will abide by the same approach.”
He noted that "all details related to the parliamentary elections are a domestic Lebanese affair."
"We stress the need to create a consensual atmosphere for these elections," he added.
Asked about the date and the law of the elections, Zasypkin said: “This would happen according to the Lebanese laws and an agreement among the Lebanese themselves, because foreign parties believe that the most important thing is stability and security in this country.”
On Monday, Connelly expressed concern over the security situation in Lebanon and along its border, stressing that the parliamentary elections should be held on time.
“We appreciate the extraordinary efforts exerted by President (Michel Suleiman), the Speaker, and Prime Minister (Najib Miqati) to adhere to the requirement of the Lebanese Constitution to hold elections on time,” she said.
“If a new system cannot be agreed upon in the very near term, in our view, failure to achieve consensus on a new law does not mean Parliamentary elections cannot be held on time,” the ambassador added.
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