Saudi FM urges election of 'unifying' Lebanese president

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan urged Wednesday for the election of a new Lebanese president who is able to unify the country.

Bin Farhan stressed, in a speech in the Arab summit in Algeria, his country's keenness on the sovereignty of the Lebanese state.

The minister also announced that Saudi Arabia will host the next Arab Summit.

Arab leaders convened on Wednesday in Algeria for the second day of the 31st summit of the largest annual Arab conference, seeking common ground on several divisive issues in the region.

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati had asked the Arab countries not to abandon Lebanon, as he underlined his country's commitment to the Arab League's resolutions.

"We won't tolerate any attempt to undermine the Taif Accord," Mikati said.

The Arab meeting comes against the backdrop of rising inflation, food and energy shortages, drought and soaring cost of living across the Middle East and Africa.