Mashnouq Says Elections on Time, Situation is Stable

Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq said the situation in Lebanon is “stable” despite the crisis that emerged after the resignation of PM Saad Hariri, and asserted that the parliamentary elections will be held right on schedule.

“Clearly we are in a stable situation despite the crisis. PM Hariri will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday to open the door to greater stability,” Mashnouq told reporters after a meeting he held with President Michel Aoun at the Presidential Palace.

Mashnouq hailed Aoun's “balanced political rhetoric” and the way he is managing the crisis.

Hariri has been in Riyadh since announcing his shock resignation from there on November 4, and Aoun on Wednesday accused Saudi authorities of "detaining" the premier.

Hariri has on Thursday accepted an invitation to Paris which Aoun said is the "start of a solution" to the crisis sparked by his resignation in Saudi Arabia.

On a different note, Mashnouq stressed that the country's parliamentary elections scheduled on May, 2018 will be held on time “it is our obligation and a democratic duty which President Aoun has confirmed.”