Al-Rahi Holds more Consultations on Christian Posts, Presidency

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi met on Tuesday with more Christian cabinet ministers with the aim of taking action against the alleged marginalization of Christians in state institutions.

Al-Rahi held separate talks with Telecommunications Minister Butros Harb and Minister of the Displaced Alice Shabtini in Bkirki.

“It is time for the presidential candidates to think about the country and head to parliament so that the democratic game takes its course,” said Harb after his meeting with the patriarch.

Harb also said that there should be a balance in the country's institutions.

Al-Rahi met last week with several other Christian ministers after growing complaints that Christian posts were being given to Muslim civil servants.

The vacuum at the Baabda Palace as a result of a 21-month deadlock has further exacerbated the problem.

The country's top Christian post has been vacant since the term of President Michel Suleiman ended in May 2014.

Informed sources told al-Joumhouria daily on Tuesday that Bkirki will issue a special report summarizing the result of the consultations that al-Rahi has held with the Christian ministers.

The seat of the Maronite church will then see what action to take to restore the rights of the Christians, they said.