EU calls on Lebanon to hold legislative elections on time

BRUSSELS, Jan 16 (KUNA) -- The European Union Foreign Affairs Council meeting here Monday welcomed the ambition of the new government in Lebanon to 'restore trust' and called on Lebanon to hold timely legislative elections in 2017 and ensure a smooth and transparent process, to uphold Lebanon's longstanding democratic tradition.
The Council in a statement reaffirmed the EU's commitment to the unity, sovereignty, stability, independence and territorial integrity of Lebanon.
The EU expressed its full support to the efforts of the Lebanese authorities and security institutions in their fight against terrorism and the prevention of radicalisation and welcomed the ongoing cooperation with the EU and is determined to continue and reinforce it.
The EU remains committed to support the Lebanese Armed Forces and to support Lebanon in addressing the challenges for the stability of the country, it stressed.
Further, the EU commended Lebanon's extraordinary efforts in continuing to host more than 1.1 million Syrian refugees and also for its support to Palestinian refugees, including those who recently fled Syria.(end) nk.tg