Al-Rahi: It is Shameful to Await Foreign Countries to Nominate President for us
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi demanded on Thursday that the presidential elections be held on time, saying that it is a national duty that should be respected.
He said before a delegation from the editors syndicate: “It is shameful for us to await foreign powers to nominate a president for us.”
“We may ask these powers for their opinions on a candidate, but we should not ask them who they prefer,” he explained.
“The new president should be strong and must adhere to national principles,” al-Rahi added.
Furthermore, the patriarch said that the president should enjoy good ties with the international community.
The presidential elections are scheduled for May when President Michel Suleiman's six-year term ends.
The constitutional period to elect a new head of state begins on March 25, two months prior to the expiration of Suleiman’s mandate.
The formation of the government after months of consultations has revived hopes that the elections will be held by the constitutional deadline.
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