Maronite Bishops Call on Implementation of Constitution, Formation of Unity Cabinet

The Maronite Bishops Council called on Wednesday on officials to respect and implement the constitution in resolving all challenges confronting the country and to form a unity government that has the consensus of all parties.

“Lebanon almost lost its unity that is the basis of its existence,” the Maronite Bishops said in a statement after its monthly meeting headed by Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi in Bkirki.

Bishop Samir Mazloum, who read the statement, called on officials to return to their conscience, saying: “The nation is not a trial field and has no space for carrying out personal interests.”

He urged politicians not to yield to threats lurking around.

“The national accord is threatened by the biased acts carried out,” Mazloum said.

The statement also called on officials to aide by the constitution and to differentiate between the political issues and those related to the security situation by not dragging the security agencies into political crises.

Concerning the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Miqati's cabinet, the Maronite Bishops considered that any political vacuum doesn't come in anyone's favor but “creates chaos in the country.”

“Any formed government that lacks consensus and doesn't have a unified mission will fail,” the statement said.

Miqati's resignation on March 22 prompted calls for the resumption of the national dialogue.

His resignation further complicated the political crisis in Lebanon after signs began appearing that the Hizbullah-led March 8 forces are seeking a national salvation cabinet while the March 14 opposition alliance wants a neutral government.

On the upcoming parliamentary elections, the council called on holding polls in time and respecting the constitutional deadlines.

“Carrying out elections on time indicate that all parties are keen to preserve democracy and the constitution,” the bishops added.

They noted that the formation of a new electoral law to replace the 1960 law that was adopted during the 2009 elections shouldn't be neglected.

The rival parties have so far failed to agree on an electoral draft-law.

The March 8 coalition is holding on the the so-called Orthodox Gathering proposal as the only alternative to the 1960 law, however, it was rejected by Suleiman, Miqati, al-Mustaqbal bloc, the centrist National Struggle Front of MP Walid Jumblat, and the March 14 opposition’s Christian independent MPs.

The polls are likely to be postponed if the parliament gives the green light to the proposal that divides Lebanon into a single district and allows each sect to vote for its own MPs under a proportional representation system.

Suleiman and Miqati have signed a decree that sets the elections on June 9 according to the 1960 law, which is based on winner-takes-all system, over the lack of agreement between the bickering parliamentary blocs.

Their call have drawn the ire of the March 8 majority coalition, which has totally rejected the law.

“MPs have no right after seven years in power to stall the adoption of a new electoral law that replaces the 1960 law,” the council said.

The Maronite Bishops also called on the Lebanese to abide by the dissociation policy as “it shouldn't be used as a tool to carry out foreign countries' plots in the region.”

In the Baabda Declaration, 16 political leaders from both the March 8 majority coalition and the March 14 opposition agreed to avoid rhetoric that fuels sectarian incitement.