Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops Calls for Swift Formation of 'Capable' Cabinet

The Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops called on Saturday at the end of its 47th meeting for the swift formation of a new capable cabinet, lashing out at the political disputes among the rival politicians.

“The increasing political disputes that are disrupting the country are distressing,” the final statement of the council said.

The council's week-long meeting was held under the auspices of Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi in Bkirki

It pointed out that the rival parties should facilitate the formation of a new government and reach an agreement over a fair electoral law that represents all the Lebanese people.

The sharp rift among Lebanese foes over several issues reached a deadlock as disputes are ongoing over the line-up of the new cabinet, which Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam has been trying to form since his appointment in April and over calls by Speaker Nabih Berri's for the parliament to convene amid a resigned cabinet, in addition to several other disputes including the tasks that should be carried out by a caretaker cabinet, which is led by caretaker PM Najib Miqati.

The Council also expressed fear over the security situation in the northern city of Tripoli, considering that it is “disturbing the lives of the citizens.”

Tripoli is Lebanon's second city and is the scene of frequent Syria-linked battles, that pit Sunnis from Bab al-Tabbaneh against Alawites in Jabal Mohsen.

Most Sunnis support Syria's revolt against President Bashar Assad, while Alawites, who belong to the same Shiite-offshoot sect as Assad, support his regime.

The latest fighting ended when the army deployed along Syria Street, which separates the two districts and acts as the makeshift frontline.

Tripoli suffered horrific car bomb explosions near two mosques in August, killing 45 people.

The council also slammed the “unacceptable” conditions in Lebanese prisons, calling on the state to assume its responsibilities and rectify the situation from its roots.

Lebanese prisons are crowded to almost twice their capacity and are dangerously neglected and mismanaged by the authorities.

Roumieh, the oldest and largest of Lebanon's overcrowded prisons, has witnessed sporadic prison breaks in recent years and escalating riots over the past months as inmates living in poor conditions demand better treatment.

The council also called for the release of the two kidnapped bishops in Syria and the missing Lebanese persons in the neighboring country.

Bishops Youhanna Ibrahim and Boulos Yazigi were kidnapped on April 23 in the northern Syrian province of Aleppo while they were on a humanitarian work.