Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid Bukhari emphasized the Kingdom’s stance on the swift election of a president, who will be “capable of meeting the aspirations of the Lebanese people.” Following talks with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Wednesday, Bukhari said: “We reject the ongoing presidential vacuum that threatens the stability and unity of the Lebanese people.” He noted that Saudi Arabia “stresses the need to expedite the election of a president for the Lebanese Republic who is capable of achieving the aspirations of the brotherly Lebanese people.” Berri’s office announced that talks during the meeting touched on the general situation, political developments and bilateral relations. Earlier on Wednesday, the Saudi ambassador visited Dar Al-Fatwa, where he met with Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel-Latif Derian. Underlining the important role of Saudi Arabia in Lebanon, Derian said that the election of a president and the stability, prosperity and development of Lebanon was first and foremost the responsibility of the Lebanese. The Mufti called on Lebanon’s politicians to put the country’s interests above their personal considerations. “Any settlement in this context, whether local or external, must be worked on to restore respect for the state, its institutions and sovereignty,” he stated. Derian also expressed the Lebanese people’s keenness on fraternal cooperation with the Kingdom and its leadership. Bukhari also met with the head of the Lebanese Forces party, Samir Geagea.