Lebanese Officials Seek to Overcome Hurdles in Appointment of Diplomats

Lebanese officials are gearing up for the appointment of more than 39 ambassadors in embassies abroad but are facing a few obstacles that require a last minute solution, An Nahar daily reported Tuesday.

The newspaper said a meeting held between President Michel Suleiman and Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour on Monday was aimed at discussing ways to fill vacant diplomatic seats ahead of the 2013 parliamentary elections, which could witness votes by Lebanese expatriates.

The new appointments would help the Lebanese diplomatic missions prepare for the procedure if the cabinet agrees on a mechanism during a session scheduled to be held at the Baabda palace on Wednesday.

Informed sources said that Suleiman and Premier Najib Miqati are awaiting the final project for the appointment of diplomats to fill 39 vacant seats although this number is on the rise over the retirement of several ambassadors who have reached the retirement age.

But obstacles are facing the appointments of ambassadors in several countries in the Gulf and European capitals, the sources told An Nahar without giving further details.

Miqati has hinted to his visitors that the issue would be resolved by the end of April if no further obstacles emerge, the newspaper said.