Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Lebanon, Waleed Bukhari. (Credit: NNA/File photo)
BEIRUT — "Lasting solutions [will] come from within Lebanon, not from outside," Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Lebanon Waleed Bukhari said Saturday in reference to the country's unresolved presidential election. Lebanon has been without a head of state since former President Michel Aoun's term in office ended on Oct. 31.
The ambassador's remarks followed a meeting with the leader of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP), Walid Joumblatt, at a time when negotiations are underway around the presidential election.
Bukhari has met with several Lebanese political parties and religious figures this week.
According to some observers, Saudi Arabia is opposed to the candidacy of Marada Movement leader Sleiman Frangieh, who is openly supported by the Amal Movement and Hezbollah. However, Bukhari has stated that the kingdom does not interfere in "sovereign Lebanese affair" and will support any president agreed upon by local actors.
Many observers believe that France is promoting a deal under which the election of the Marada leader to the presidency would be traded for the appointment of Nawaf Salam, former Lebanese ambassador to the UN and current judge at the International Court of Justice, as the country's next prime minister-designate. Paris, however, denies it is pushing for such a deal.