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Ban urges Lebanese parties to act for filling president vacancy

NEW YORK, May 24 (KUNA) -- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon reiterated his call on all Lebanese leaders to act "responsibly" to elect a new head of state without further delay in accordance with the country's constitution.
In a statement issued Tuesday, Ban's spokesman's office said that the Secretary General remains concerned about the continuing failure of Lebanese political parties to elect a President of the Republic, a post which has now remained vacant for two years.
In his recent visit to Lebanon, the Secretary General said "national unity and Lebanon's standing will remain fragile and incomplete as long as the vacancy in the presidency persists." Therefore, he urged the country to act on this matter.
Ban also welcomed the conduct of the municipal elections in Lebanon which are expected to conclude at the end of this month, and said that the polls are "a testament to Lebanon's enduring democratic tradition and further proof that the people of Lebanon deserve to be represented at all levels." (end) mao.gb