The International Support Group for Lebanon (ISG) on Friday urged Lebanese authorities to prepare for free, fair, transparent and inclusive elections as scheduled on 15 May.
"The elections are first and foremost a right and expectation of the people of Lebanon and a sovereign responsibility which is incumbent on the authorities to deliver on," the group was quoted by UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka as saying.
With the elections just three months away, the ISG asked for rapid preparatory work in line with the existing legislative framework and the constitutional timelines.
Specifically, the ISG urged relevant bodies to allocate the necessary financial resources to hold the elections in Lebanon and abroad, enable the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities and the Supervisory Commission for Elections to be fully functional, and ensure the timely organizing of voting from abroad.
The international community considers that the elections are essential to the success of the reform agenda, and rebuilding trust between the Lebanese authority and citizens.