US President Barack Obama has urged Lebanon to hold elections as planned in May, the American embassy in Beirut said Saturday.

US President Barack Obama has urged Lebanon to hold elections as planned in May, the American embassy in Beirut said Saturday.

The upcoming presidential elections should be held on time and in keeping with the Lebanese constitution, Obama urged in a telephone call to Prime Minister Tammam Salam, a statement from the US embassy said.

Obama recognized "the difficulties facing Lebanon due to the conflict in Syria," and emphasized "the importance of all parties observing Lebanon's policy of disassociation".

Obama also thanked Salam for hosting Syrian refugees.

Lebanese President Michel Sleiman's mandate ends on May 25. There are worries that a successor will be hard to find because of disagreements between Lebanon's blocs.