The headquarters of the French Foreign Affairs Ministry in Paris. (Credit: AFP / File)
"Lebanese leaders must rise to the occasion," said a spokesperson for the French Foreign Ministry on Friday when asked about the presidential election in Lebanon.
"[This] requires unity, and the implementation of the reforms necessary for a way out of the crisis," the spokesperson continued.
Last Thursday's first parliamentary session to elect a new president was not successful. More than 60 MPs cast a white, or "blank," ballot, just weeks ahead of President Michel Aoun's scheduled departure from office on Oct. 31.
"The presidential election is an essential step in the process of ending the crisis in Lebanon," said the spokesperson during press conference. "It is important that this election takes place within the constitutional deadline, that is to say before October 31, in order to avoid any vacancy of power."
There are fears of a presidential vacancy. If no successor to Aoun is found, Lebanon will find itself in an unprecedented situation: a total executive political vacancy with a caretaker government.
France regularly calls on the Lebanese authorities to respect the constitutional deadlines and planned elections, and encouraged the country to launch reforms.
Recently, France issued a joint statement with the United States and Saudi Arabia outlining what they consider to be ideal characteristics of the future head of state.