Amin Gemayel: International Community Supports Timely Presidential Elections

Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel assured on Tuesday that the international community “sympathizes” with Lebanon and supports holding the presidential elections on time.

"Some groups are trying to push Lebanon towards vacuum but I think local leaders have enough awareness to ensure holding the presidential elections on time,” Gemayel said in an interview with the Washington-based al-Hurra television station that was published on the state-run National News Agency's website.

"The international community also sympathizes with Lebanon and wants to hold these elections on time,” Gemayel added.

While President Michel Suleiman's six-year term ends in May 2014, there are fears that differences and lack of consensus among rival political parties would prevent the parliament from meeting and would lead to a vacuum in the presidency.

The Phalange leader revealed that March 14 has a candidate for the presidential elections.

"As a coalition we are concerned with these elections and we care about Lebanon's best interest. Our group will offer all sacrifices to elect a new president.”

On the cabinet's formation, Gemayel said: “We are working on forming a new capable council of ministers as soon as possible.”

"We want a cabinet that is able to achieve security and stability and provides a cover for the army.”

In a separate matter, the former president said the Lebanese people are aware of their responsibility, even with the presence of a foreign Takfiri force in the country.

"There is no environment that embraces these groups in Lebanon.”

He explained: “Some people are hired by foreign forces and are assigned to carry out certain missions but the democratic and tolerant environment in Lebanon rejects these calls and confronts them.”

He warned, however, that if tension persisted, it would become a threat to the Lebanese entity and entity.