Al-Rahi during Christmas Mass: Who Else Besides President Seeks Lebanon's Interests?

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi lamented on Thursday the ongoing vacuum in the presidency, hoping for the election of a new president.

He wondered: “Who else besides the president seeks the interests of Lebanon?”

He made his remarks during Christmas mass that was held at Bkirki and attended by a number of officials, including Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun, Kataeb Party chief Amin Gemayel, and U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon David Hale.

“We wonder at claims that Lebanon is working fine without a president,” al-Rahi said.

“Who else can ease tensions and cater to the people's needs besides the president?” he asked.

“Who else besides the president seeks the interests of our youth?” he continued.

“We hope that officials would realize the dangers of failing to elect a new head of state,” remarked the patriarch.

“The absence of a president will create chaos and spread corruption,” he stressed.

Prior to holding the mass, al-Rahi had separate talks with Aoun and Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat.

Lebanon has been without a head of state since May when the term of Michel Suleiman ended.

Ongoing disputes between the rival March 8 and 14 camps have thwarted the election of his successor.

M.T.

H.K.