EU Lauds Lebanese for Forming Govt., Urges 'Continued Commitment' to U.N. Resolutions

EU High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini on Monday congratulated Prime Minister Saad Hariri on “announcing the members of the new Lebanese Council of Ministers,” describing it as “another key moment towards the full functioning of State institutions in Lebanon.”

The formation of the cabinet “reflects the responsibility and openness for compromise shared by all parties... which are hallmarks of Lebanon's democratic tradition,” Mogherini said in a statement.

The Lebanese people expect all political actors to “continue working with the same constructive spirit and in an atmosphere of national unity that reaffirms Lebanon's independence and sovereignty based on the Constitution and the Taef Agreement, as well as its continued commitment to all relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions and including UNSC 1701,” she added.

Resolution 1701 ended the devastating 2006 war between Israel and Hizbullah.

“The Lebanese people and the international community have high expectations for the new government whose success will be determined by its capacity to address the major challenges it faces particularly by adopting the necessary institutional, economic and social measures. The next big step in this crucial transition phase for the country will be the holding of parliamentary elections,” Mogherini added.

She said the new government will have the task of “ensuring a smooth and transparent process that strengthens further the democratic legitimacy of the country's institutions.”

“The European Union will continue to stand alongside Lebanon, and the recently adopted EU-Lebanon partnership priorities and compact establish a new cooperation framework for the next four years,” the EU official pledged.

“In a spirit of true partnership, the EU and Lebanon will therefore continue to work closely together, towards a stable, safe and democratic Lebanon and towards peace, security and prosperity for the whole region, faced with the many serious challenges the Middle East is facing, notably in Syria," she added.

Later in the day, EU Ambassador to Lebanon Christina Lassen met with Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq and discussions focused on “the developments in the country, particularly the recent formation of the Lebanese Government,” said a statement issued by the Delegation of the European Union to Lebanon.

Lassen underlined that the European Union encourages Lebanon to “hold timely elections and revive democratic practices as a further step towards a strong and stable Lebanon.”