Al-Rahi Calls on Rival Parties to Agree on Non-Controversial Policy Statement
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi called on Sunday the political arch-foes to swiftly draft the cabinet's ministerial policy statement and excluding the main points of contention.
“The policy statement shouldn't resolve the controversial points but merely include the constitutional principles and the projects that the cabinet considers a priority,” al-Rahi said in his sermon during a mass he celebrated in Bkirki.
He pointed out that the state's general policy cannot be included in the policy statement, which should come in the discourse of the cabinets session based on the constitution and the national principles.
Al-Rahi noted that the cabinet's tenure is “relatively short” as it is tasked with carrying out the presidential elections.
“We should only announce what it (the government) is demanded to carry out during this period of time,” the patriarch said.
On Friday, The committee drafting the ministerial policy statement failed anew to reach an agreement on the clause related to resisting Israel as the March 14 forces insisted on “the state's authority over everything.”
The committee's meeting is the seventh since Prime Minister Tammam Salam's cabinet was formed two weeks ago.
Salam has announced that his government's mission is combating terrorism and preparing for the upcoming presidential election.
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