Fabius Voices Support for Govt. 'in All the Challenges it is Facing'

France on Thursday said that it supports the new Lebanese government “in all the challenges that it is facing,” hoping the agreement over cabinet will also involve the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections.

In a congratulations letter he sent to his Lebanese counterpart Jebran Bassil, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius lauded “the spirit of national responsibility that led to the formation of the cabinet,” hoping it will also apply to “the upcoming constitutional junctures.”

Fabius stressed “France's commitment to the freedom, sovereignty, stability and unity of Lebanon, and its support for the Lebanese government in all the challenges that it is facing.”

He underlined that “the International Support Group for Lebanon will convene on March 5 in Paris with the aim of providing tangible assistance and preserving Lebanon's stability in the face of the Syrian crisis' repercussions on it.”

The top French diplomat expressed “the importance of Lebanon's commitment to U.N. resolutions, especially those related to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and (Security Council) Resolution 1701,” which ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hizbullah.

Fabius wished Bassil success and noted that he is willing to work with him to “strengthen ties between the two countries” and “support Lebanon and its institutions.”

Prime Minister Tammam Salam on Saturday announced the line-up of his 24-minister government, describing it as a “cabinet of national interest.”

Consensus over the cabinet formation is likely to apply to the ministerial policy statement.