PARIS: US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was in Paris on Friday to voice America’s support for Lebanon’s “sovereignty, stability and independence,” as French President Emmanuel Macron called on Mideast countries to refrain from interfering in Lebanese domestic affairs.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad Hariri was also attending the summit of world diplomats in France in support of his country. It is the first major gathering of key nations to discuss Lebanon’s future since a crisis erupted following Hariri’s shock resignation last month while in Saudi Arabia. Hariri has since rescinded his resignation.
Macron addressed the dignitaries on Friday.
The meeting is a show of support for Hariri following the bizarre resignation. Lebanon is host to one million refugees from Syria, according to the UN, and European nations have been dedicated to preserving its stability.
US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Tillerson would affirm US support for Lebanon’s military. She said he would also encourage other nations to do more to constrain Hezbollah and argue that doing so will lead to a “stronger, more stable Lebanon.”
Hariri tweeted after arriving in Paris that the meeting will also be important for supporting Lebanon’s economy.
Tillerson, other top diplomats meet in Paris to support Lebanon’s Hariri
Tillerson, other top diplomats meet in Paris to support Lebanon’s Hariri
Central African Republic president seeks third term in election
- Since Touadera was first elected in 2016, in the middle of a civil war, the CAR has seen unrest ease despite feuds between armed groups and the government in some regions
BANGUI: Voters in the Central African Republic cast their ballots for a new president on Sunday, with incumbent Faustin-Archange Touadera widely expected to win a third term after touting his success in steadying a nation long plagued by conflict.
Around 2.3 million people are eligible to vote, with parliamentary, municipal and regional polls taking place at the same time.
Escorted by members of the presidential guard, Touadera arrived at a high school to cast his own ballot.
He urged people to vote “to allow our country to develop, to allow our country to regain peace and security.”
“It’s a very important issue,” Touadera, 68, told reporters.
Streets in the capital Bangui were quiet, with armored vehicles of the UN peacekeeping mission MINUSCA deployed at road junctions.
Heavy security was posted outside voting stations, and helicopters flew overhead at a school near where Touadera was voting, while a long queue had formed. Since Touadera was first elected in 2016, in the middle of a civil war, the CAR has seen unrest ease despite feuds between armed groups and the government in some regions.
“We need a leader elected by the people, not someone who takes power by force,” teacher Julie Odjoubi, 44, said, her left thumb stained with purple ink to show she had voted.
Touadera is in pole position to win in a seven-strong field, after a new constitution was adopted in 2023.
