Rahi Says Salam's Resignation Would be Shameful for All MPs

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi said Friday that a possible decision by Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam to give up his task to form the new government would be shameful for all the lawmakers who named him during binding consultations with the president.

In remarks to reporters at Rafik Hariri International Airport upon his return from the Qatari capital, al-Rahi said: “Such a possible decision would be shameful for all the MPs who unanimously named it.”

He accused them of later “obstructing his (Salam's) work.”

In April, Salam got the support of 124 legislators of the 128-member parliament but the PM-designate has so far failed to come up with a line-up over conditions and counter conditions set by the rival political camps.

Rumor has it that Salam will give up his task within a few weeks.

Analysts have also said that if Salam takes such a move, then President Michel Suleiman would call for a new round of binding consultations with parliamentary blocs to appoint another personality to form a cabinet of ministers who are not very committed to either the March 8 or March 14 alliances.

This would satisfy the demand of the March 14 alliance for a cabinet of neutrals.

Asked about the results of his talks with Qatari officials, including the emir, the patriarch said that he has received promises to unveil the fate of two bishops and three priests kidnapped by rebels in Syria.

“The problem is that no one knows where they are,” he said.

The case of the two bishops and the three priests had been on al-Rahi's agenda with the Qatari officials. But he has expressed regret that no one has been able to locate them.

The two bishops, Youhanna Ibrahim and Boulos Yazigi, were kidnapped in the northern province of Aleppo at the end of April.

Al-Rahi also expressed regret that most countries have made major advancements while “Lebanese officials are heading towards destruction.”

“We reject the new culture of arms and violence in Lebanon,” he told reporters.