Assistant Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Ambassador Houssam Zaki, commissioned by Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, headed to Lebanon with the aim of anticipating the views of political leaders regarding the upcoming presidential elections, and searching for ways to address the political blockage in the country.

The personal envoy of the Secretary-General began his visit by holding several meetings with leaders of all parliamentary blocs, including President Nabih Berri, head of the "Free Patriotic Movement" Gebran Bassil, head of the "Lebanese Forces" Party Samir Geagea, head of the Progressive Socialist Party Walid Jumblatt and head of the Kataeb Party Samy Gemayel, in addition to a number of change and independents MPs.

Zaki met with President Michel Aoun, Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati, and with Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib.

After the visit, Zaki stated that he sensed a great divergence of views between the political leaders, as well as the weak channels of communication between them, which may put the country in a very difficult situation, especially in light of the international preoccupation with the Ukrainian crisis.

"Lebanon cannot bear the state of “getting used to the crisis” or accepting the presidential vacuum in light of the severe economic crisis it is going through, which has been reflected in the daily living conditions of the citizens in a way that represented a source of concern and annoyance for all Lebanon’s lovers and supporters" he said.

During his interviews, Zaki appealed to all political leaders to put the national interest first, sit together and open channels of consultation in order to reach consensus on this important constitutional entitlement.

He reiterated the Arab League's readiness to play any role to help Lebanon overcome the political crisis, especially since all the parties he met with welcomed the Arab League's support for Lebanon at this important stage.