EU urges free Lebanon elections

BEIRUT, Lebanon, April 16 (UPI) -- A European Union delegation urged Lebanon Saturday to hold honest and free general elections, vowing to send observers to monitor the poll next month.

The delegation issued a statement after a meeting with President Emile Lahoud, saying, "As a firm and longstanding friend of Lebanon, and in accordance with its policy of promoting stability and prosperity in the region, the EU hopes that a new government will be formed at an early date and that it can act in the interests of all Lebanese."

"The EU urges the Lebanese authorities to proceed without delay to free, fair and transparent elections on schedule in accordance with the Lebanese constitution and democratic principles," it said.

The EU also urged Lebanese authorities to invite international observers to add assurance to the transparency of the electoral process.