A German delegation led by Bundestag Foreign Affairs Committee chairman, Volker Ruhe, called Tuesday for Lebanese parliamentary elections to be held as soon as possible to ensure stability in Lebanon. Speaking after a meeting in Beirut with Christian Maronite Cardinal Nasrallah Sfeir, Ruhe said the E.U. was prepared to send a team of observers to help with the elections. "Lebanon has suffered economically due to the political situation prevailing in the country," Ruhe said. "What Lebanon needs now is political stability and the only way to get there is through the elections," he added. Elections are expected to be held in the country by the end of May, ending two months of political turmoil following the February 14 assassination of former premier Rafik Hariri. --SP 2309 Local Time 2009 GMT
