[Naharnet] Paris and Rome Ready To Help Lebanon Organize Next Elections


http://www.naharnet.com/domino/tn/NewsDesk.nsf/0/216269BE214AA092C225756
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Paris and Rome Ready To Help Lebanon Organize Next Elections

France and Italy announced their willingness to help Lebanon organize
its June 7 legislative elections and send election monitors.

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kuochner, and his Italian
counterpart Franco Fratini in a joint interview by the French daily Le
Monde on Tuesday said: "Lebanese democracy must be protected."

"In this regard we are ready to if the Lebanese authorities want
to help organize this election and guarantee its proper path, by sending
election monitors to ensure a transparent and free election based on
international democratic standards," the ministers said.

They both stressed the importance in contributing in normalizing
Lebanon's relations with its regional surrounding.

Both ministers praised the establishment of Lebanese-Syrian
diplomatic relations.

In mid February the European Commission announced a 4 million Euro
grant to Lebanon to help organize the parliamentary elections. Moreover,
the Jimmy Carter Foundation proposed sending monitors to the Lebanese
elections.


Beirut, 24 Feb 09, 20:45

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