Al-Rahi Infuriated over Ongoing Presidential Vacuum, to Propose New Names

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi expressed anger on Sunday over the ongoing delay in electing a new head of state as reports said that he intends to propose the names of new candidates to fill the vacant post.

“The Patriarch's anger is increasing over the ongoing presidential vacuum,” al-Rahi's visitors quoted him as saying in comments published in al-Mustaqbal newspaper.

The sources said that al-Rahi “refuses to remain silent and accept the negligence,” in hints to the sharp differences between the political arch-foes.

Lebanon has been plunged in vacuum in the presidency since the term of President Michel Suleiman ended in May.

Eight presidential elections sessions have been held, seven of which were obstructed due to a lack of quorum at parliament caused by a boycott by the March 8 lawmakers of the Change and Reform and Loyalty to the Resistance blocs over differences on a presidential candidate.

“I will propose the names of new candidates for the presidency,” al-Rahi told officials.

“He is tired of waiting while the rival parties agree on the name of a nominee... He has waited for a long time but they failed to reach common ground,” he was quoted as saying.

Officials said that the Patriarch is only interested in the actual electoral process and “isn't concerned with the number of votes that each candidate will garner.”

Head of the Free Patriotic Movement MP Michel Aoun has repeatedly announced that he would run in the elections if there is consensus over his nomination.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, a presidential candidate himself, has repeatedly called on the March 8 alliance to name its candidate, holding the FPM responsible for the obstruction of the presidential elections.

The next elections session is scheduled for July 23.

H.K.