Spiritual Summit in Bkirki to End Presidential Stalemate

A spiritual summit will be held on Monday at the seat of the Maronite church in Bkirki to press forward the election of a new head of state, An Nahar newspaper reported.

The daily said on Wednesday that participants will send a letter to the political arch-foes to rectify the adopted policies to serve citizens.

The letter will also underline the importance of resuming dialogues that would lead to easing tension in the country, and highlight the significance of safeguarding the country away from foreign intervention.

However, the newspaper said that any political efforts will be postponed till after the Easter holiday.

On Sunday, al-Rahi expressed grave concern during a mass at Bkirki at the end of centenary of the death of Saint Rafqa over the ongoing presidential vacuum and its repercussions on the constitutional institutions.

He called on the rival parties to understand the risks compelled by vacuum, noting that the “country's economy is paralyzed.”

MPs failed on several occasions to elect a new head of state over lack of quorum. President Michel Suleiman's term ended in May without the election of a successor.

Hizbullah and Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun's Change and Reform bloc have been boycotting electoral sessions due to a disagreement with the March 14 camp over a compromise presidential candidate.

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