Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid Bukhari (L) during a meeting with Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai in Diman, Sep. 4, 2023. (Credit: NNA)
BEIRUT — Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Lebanon, Walid Bukhari, stressed on Monday the "need to elect a president as soon as possible," in rare comments on a now nearly year-long presidential vacuum.
Bukhari's comments came after a meeting with Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai at the latter's summer headquarters in Diman, according to a Saudi embassy statement.
Lebanon has been without a president since Michel Aoun's term in office ended on Oct. 31, 2022.
Saudi Arabia is a member of the so-called Group of Five on Lebanon, which also includes France, the US, Qatar and Egypt. This group is trying to find a solution to Lebanon's ongoing presidential vacuum.
On Thursday, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said that he would agree to hold open electoral sessions in Parliament only if they are preceded by an extensive seven-day dialogue gathering the leaders of the different parliamentary blocs.
On Sunday, Rai called on Lebanese MPs to participate in the dialogue convened by Berri.
French special envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian — who has been tasked with helping resolve the presidential crisis — is expected in Beirut later this month. Le Drian has also called for a dialogue between the main political actors in order to end the impasse.