Al-Rahi Exerting Efforts to End Presidential Vacuum, to Meet Prominent Western Ambassador
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi will reportedly meet on Thursday the ambassadors to Lebanon of western powers, Gabriele Caccia, the papal ambassador to Lebanon and U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Sigrid Kaag to urge them to facilitate the election of a new head of state.
According to al-Joumhouria newspaper published on Wednesday, Bkirki's move comes in light of its continued efforts to resolve the presidential deadlock.
Sources told the daily that the patriarch “will exert efforts” to resolve the presidential dispute, pointing out that his meeting with the ambassadors aims at “urging them to interfere to facilitate the election of a new president.”
“The matter will not remain a local affair when the Lebanese fail to carry out their duties.”
The patriarch's main concern is to “elect a new president as the repercussions of the vacuum have begun surfacing on all levels,” the sources added.
“Al-Rahi fears that vacuum will expand and impact other state institutions, which will consequently harm the active Christian presence day after day,” they said.
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.
The patriarch is expected to travel to the French capital Paris on April 26 where he will discuss with French President Francois Hollande the presidential stalemate and the Christian role in the Middle East.
“Al-Rahi believes that the president is the sole guarantee for the continuation of coexistence and the state,” the sources remarked.
H.K.
M.T.
15 April 2015, 08:22
01
Is the presidential vacuum the problem of Lebanon?
I wonder how many Lebanese do really believe that by solving this issue animosities between the Lebanese people will end.
15 April 2015, 11:43
11
Miss Tic and Al,
I do understand you as being good Shiites, that your interests and loyalty goes to Ebola, To Iran and to Wali Al Fakih.
But, myself as a Christian, this is totally against my interests and do not wish at all to have a "Teheran-on-sea"; nor a Mutelateh, nor an Islamic Republic, nor a backaged culture.
Is it possible to reconcile both interests?
I can see one possibility : go back to the patriotism your parents and grand parents had for Lebanon and place the No 1 principle above all other interests : wanting to live in a beautiful and peaceful Lebanon with the other Lebanese brothers.
15 April 2015, 12:09
11
the solution is not to any ambassador to help or interfere , the solution is to see what the people wants
god bless democracy
15 April 2015, 16:50
01
Western diplomats can't cure what ails the Lebanese electoral process. Because of financial considerations, neither an M8 or an M14 candidate can be elected. Though Geagea, the M14 candidate will agree to cede the ground to a compromise candidate, which is the only solution, Aoun the M8 candidate will not cede to a compromise candidate either because:
1) in his delusions, as long as he is drawing breath, only he can serve as President; or,
2) Iran is instructing him to obstruct; or
3) A combination of 1) and 2) above.
Rai should go to Rome and petition for the excommunication of Aoun from the Catholic Church. This would cure the problem.
15 April 2015, 16:55
11
Batrak has the right to excommunicate. He doesn't need to petition to the Vatican.
16 April 2015, 00:56
00
Rai is seeking the advice of foreign powers, isn't that supposed to be an internal process or is the president of Lebanon Papa Noel, so that everyone including foreign powers have the say?
