Britain and Saudi Arabia denied on Friday remarks by Lebanese interior minister Nuhad al-Mashnouq on nominating MP Sleiman Frangieh for presidential elections.

Britain and Saudi Arabia denied on Friday remarks by Lebanese interior minister Nuhad al-Mashnouq on nominating MP Sleiman Frangieh for presidential elections, stressing that London and Riyadh don't interfere in Lebanese affairs.

In a televised interview on Thursday, Al-Mashnouq said that nomination of Frangieh as a presidential candidate was not suggested by former premier Saad al-Hariri, but was done so by Britain, then by the United States and then by Saudi Arabia.

In a statement on Friday, the British embassy in Lebanon said London doesn't support or oppose particular candidate for presidency in Lebanon.

"The election of a President is the decision, and the responsibility, of the Lebanese. We are ready to work with the next President of Lebanon, whoever that may be. We continue to urge the election of a President as soon as possible," the statement said.

Meanwhile, Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awad Asiri said his country "did not and will not meddle in internal Lebanese affairs."

"The KSA did not and will never meddle in internal Lebanese affairs, especially the presidential dossier, which it deems a matter that involves national sovereignty that is of sole concern to the Lebanese," Asiri said in a statement.

"The role of the kingdom is limited to encouraging Lebanese officials to find a suitable solution to the political crisis and put an end to presidential vacuum in a bid to reactivate state institutions and help Lebanon reach stability and economic growth," the statement added.

Frangieh has emerged as a strong candidate for the presidency since his landmark meeting with Hariri in Paris in November 2015 as part of an internationally backed initiative launched by the head of al-Mustaqbal party to end the presidential vacuum since 2014 and revive the work of Parliament and the government, long paralyzed by the deadlock.

However, Frangieh’s presidential bid has been bogged down by the nomination of MP Michel Aoun, whose candidacy is backed by  the head of Lebanese Forces party, Samir Geagea.

Hariri's (March 14) nomination of Frangieh (March 8)was a surprise since the two are from different political camps.

Hezbollah has repeatedly announced that he backs Aoun for presidency, stressing that the resistance party is committed to back his political ally.