U.S. calls for quick political settlement in Lebanon
WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- The United States on Thursday urged political factions in Lebanon to reach quickly an agreement over the formation of a new cabinet.
"We hope that both sides will resolve the impasse quickly and respect the process that's outlined in the Lebanese constitution, put together a government," P.J. Crowley, assistant secretary of state for public affairs, told reporters.
"We would like to see a government put in place sooner rather than later," Crowley said. "I don't think we have an immediate concern, but we certainly hope all the parties in the Lebanon will engage peacefully and appropriately because it's important that they put a government in place."
Crowley made the remarks hours after Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri announced that he stepped down after weeks of consultations to form a national unity cabinet with the opposition.
Lebanon has been in political turmoil for years. It has seen no new cabinet for two months since Hariri was designated as prime minister on June 27, following Hariri's West and Saudi-backed March 14 Alliance's victory in parliamentary elections over Syria and Iran-backed and Hezbollah-dominant March 8 Alliance.
Lebanon's new cabinet was expected to be formed prior to President Suleiman's New York trip for UN general assembly in late September.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-09/11/content_12032634.htm
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