Hollande Calls on Suleiman, Miqati to Prevent Any Political Vacuum in Lebanon

French President Francois Hollande urged on Saturday his Lebanese counterpart President Michel Suleiman and Prime Minister Najib Miqati to avoid any political vacuum in the country and for the cabinet to continue its tasks.

“It's very important that Lebanon doesn't fall in a political vacuum... The cabinet must carry on with its tasks,” Hollande said in a letter conveyed to Suleiman by French Ambassador to Lebanon Patrice Paoli.

Paoli denounced the assassination of Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau head Brigadier General Wissam al-Hasan, saying that “it's a great loss.”

He urged authorities to exert efforts to find the culprits.

Hasan killed in a massive car bomb on Friday, had himself returned to Lebanon the previous day.

He will be laid to rest on Sunday in the mausoleum of his mentor Hariri, who was assassinated in 2005.

Paoli called on the Lebanese to unite and not to “fall in the trap of division.”

“Everyone should unite to maintain security and stability in the country,” Paoli said from the Baabda Palace.

He also voiced his support to the government after holding talks with Miqati at the Grand Serail.

Paoli later on held a meeting with Speaker Nabih Berri at Ain el-Tineh.

The assassination of Hasan, who blamed Damascus for a series of political assassinations in Lebanon including that of former premier Rafik Hariri, has shaken the country's fragile political structure.