Lebanon parliamentary elections on time in 2022: Aoun

By Stephanie Radi

BEIRUT, Lebanon (AA) – Lebanese President Michel Aoun confirmed Tuesday that the country’s parliamentary elections will be held as scheduled in 2022.

According to a statement issued by the Lebanese Presidency, Aoun told the former Head of the European Union delegation, Elena Valenciano, that "parliamentary elections will take place on time, in spring of 2022."

Aoun, who met with Valenciano in the Presidential Palace in Baabda east of Beirut, also welcomed the EU to monitor the polls.

"Lebanon welcomes the presence of European observers to follow-up, as happened in 2018,” Aoun said.

The Lebanese state "will take appropriate measures so that elections take place in an appropriate democratic and secure atmosphere," to ensure widest popular participation in elections, he added.

Lebanon is still stuck in the formation of a new government amid differences between Aoun and Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri.

The Arab country is facing a severe economic crisis, with the local currency losing nearly all its value against US dollar. Streets across the country have been blocked by protests and rallies over the crisis, the worst since the country’s civil war.

*Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara