August 09, 2026 09:57 pm (IST)
Ban urges Lebanon to elect president without delay
New York, May 26 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday regretted that the Lebanese Parliament was unable to elect a new president within the timeframe set by the constitution and called on the country's leaders to select a new one "without delay".
In a statement from his spokesperson, Ban also urged Lebanese leaders to ensure that the Government would continue to function to address challenges in the country and its international obligations.
“The United Nations remains committed to continued partnership with the Government of Lebanon as it works towards achieving these goals,” Ban said.
The term of the current head of state, Michel Sleiman, ends on Sunday, and the Lebanese Constitution specifies that parliament members must convene to elect a new president before the deadline passes.
Ban paid tribute to the leadership demonstrated by President Sleiman over the past six years and lauds “his commitment to the unity and stability of Lebanon”, including through the International Support Group for Lebanon, whose members include the UN and the five permanent members of the Security Council, among others, and the implementation of relevant UN resolutions.
Earlier in the month, after meeting with Speaker of the Parliament, Nabih Berri, the UN special coordinator for Lebanon, Derek Plumbly, said the country should avoid a vacuum in the presidency.
“We earnestly hope that members of parliament will engage fully in the coming days to secure the election of a president by the date set in law,” Plumbly said in Beirut on 12 May. “We stress again the importance of this for Lebanon if it is to continue effectively to address the multiple challenges it faces, and for Lebanon's international partners as they seek to support and assist it.”
[Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (left) with Michel Sleiman, whose term as President of Lebanon ends on 25 May 2014. UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe]
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
Iran releases new video of Mojtaba Khamenei amid health speculation
Sun, Aug 09 2026
Kyiv hit again: Child among three killed in Russian drone strikes, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy says
Sat, Aug 08 2026
Thailand school bloodbath: Suspect killed grandparents before attack that left six dead
Fri, Aug 07 2026
Horror in Thailand: Teacher among 2 killed in deadly school shooting
Fri, Aug 07 2026
Iran's President meets Mojtaba Khamenei in 'darkened' car, later asks: 'Was it really him?'
Thu, Aug 06 2026
Princess Isabella makes history as first Danish royal woman to begin full military service
Wed, Aug 05 2026
Zelenskyy shares chilling video of Russian drone 'hunting' civilian in human safari attack
Wed, Aug 05 2026
Why is Nauru now called Naoero? All you need to know
Tue, Aug 04 2026
