Yazigi Says Election of President Safeguards Security, Stability

Greek Orthodox leader Youhanna X Yazigi has stressed that the election of a new president in Lebanon would create stability and help the authorities confront the regional turmoil.

Yazigi, who is the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, expressed regret that Lebanese lawmakers have failed to elect a successor to President Michel Suleiman, whose term ended in May.

“The election of a president safeguards Lebanon's security and stability in its confrontation of developments in regional countries,” he told As Safir daily published on Friday.

He hoped that officials in the region would be wise enough “to take their countries to safe shores and not to turmoil.”

Yazigi lamented that “some parties are trying to ignite fire in Lebanon in an attempt to create instability.”

But said dialogue would help find a local solution to the country's problems.

The civil war in Syria has spilled over into Lebanon, whose major political factions either back the regime of President Bashar Assad or the rebels seeking to topple him.

Their rivalry has led to different rounds of fighting mainly in the northern city of Tripoli, leaving scores dead and injured.

The country's troubles worsened with the rise of the threat of terrorism either by Syria-based militants carrying out cross border raids or by Lebanese gunmen who have pledged allegiance to them.

In his remarks to As Safir, Yazigi said “religious extremism would not be able to establish a foothold” in Lebanon.

“Our civilization and upbringing as Muslims and Christians is above this extremism that is carrying out ugly acts,” the patriarch added.

G.K.

H.K.