BEIRUT: U.N. Official in LebanonDerek Plumbly said Wednesday the delay in forming a new Cabinet is a matter of concern, saying that he hopes the related issue of the impasse over the Army commander’s term is swiftly resolved. 

“In both meetings [with Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam] I stressed that the best way to safeguard Lebanon’s stability during this period was through reinforcing and respecting Lebanon’s state institutions,” Plumbly told reporters in Ain el-Tineh.

 

“In this context the delay in forming a new government is a matter of concern,” he added, encouraging all sides to engage with Salam on the formation process. 

Berri and Plumbly also spoke about the failure of lawmakers to end the impasse over extending Gen. Jean Kahwagi’s term which ends in September. 

“I would like to say that the Lebanese army is a vital partner for the United Nations in Lebanon. We very much hope that this problem, the problem of a possible vacuum in senior army positions, is resolved as soon as possible,” Plumbly said.

 

During Plumbly's meetings he reinforced the U.N.'s commitment to Lebanon's dissociation policy from the Syrian conflict and its support for the related Baabda Declaration.