The U.S., France and the EU have welcomed the appointment of Najib Mikati as Lebanon's new prime minister, but stepped up the pressure in demanding that parliamentary elections be held on schedule. The international community's calls came as Lebanese President Emile Lahoud pledged to hold "free and fair elections," an announcement apparently aimed at easing foreign pressure and appeasing the country's opposition. The U.S. State Department and the French Foreign Ministry reiterated their insistence that a government be formed "rapidly," with the top priority being to conducting the polls within the country's constitutional deadline. "The people of Lebanon deserve a government capable of leading them to a secure future, prosperous economy and political stability in an atmosphere of freedom," spokeswoman Nancy Beck said in Washington.However, the EU took a harder stance, as the ambassadors of Holland, Britain and the EU in Beirut made a collective call on Lahoud at the presidential palace to hold the elections on time. 'The EU is extremely worried over the delay in arrangements for the Lebanese elections that have to be held before the mandate of the current Parliament expires on May 31," said the Dutch ambassador after the Baabda talks. "The European Union will keep a careful watch on the electoral process and stands ready to provide its assistance," he added.