February 26, 2026 07:59 am (IST)
Follow us:
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 ready for war or peace ahead of Geneva nuclear talks, says Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi
Wed, Feb 25 2026
WHO: Attacks on Ukraine’s health care surged 20 percent in 2025
Wed, Feb 25 2026
After 16 years, London eatery closes as Indian-origin owner alleges repeated attacks by Pakistanis
Tue, Feb 24 2026
Viral Irish food bank image triggers racist remarks against Indians
Tue, Feb 24 2026
Netherlands’ first openly gay PM Rob Jetten takes oath. Meet his partner Nicolás Keenan
Tue, Feb 24 2026
Who was El Mencho? Mexico's most wanted drug lord, with USD 15 million bounty, killed
Mon, Feb 23 2026
UK: Taxi driver jailed for nine years for raping sleeping passenger
Sun, Feb 22 2026