Al-Rahi: MPs Must Stop Violating Constitution and Elect President
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi criticized on Sunday the ongoing failure to elect a president, blaming lawmakers for the delay.
He demanded MPs during his Sunday sermon “to halt the violation of the constitution and elect a president.”
He warned that their actions are threatening to fragment Lebanon and “jeopardize its fate.”
“The election of a president will restore the legislative role of parliament and facilitate the functioning of the government,” added al-Rahi.
“Parliament or cabinet cannot substitute the role of the president and practice all of his privileges,” he stressed.
“The president alone can maintain the dignity and unity of the state,” he declared.
“Depriving Lebanon of a president for three months is a blow to the heart of the nation,” lamented the patriarch.
Lebanon has been without a president since May when the term of President Michel Suleiman ended.
Numerous presidential elections sessions have since been held, but an ongoing dispute between the March 8 and 14 camps over a consensual president has thwarted the elections.
Addressing regional developments, al-Rahi renewed his call on concerned international powers to “halt providing arms to and funding terrorist groups.”
He demanded that the Arab League, United Nations and its Security Council, and the International Criminal Court combat terrorist organizations and protect religious minorities.
He urged that the Christians of the Iraqi city of Mosul and other regions be allowed to return to their homes.
The patriarch also confirmed that he will travel to Iraq in the upcoming two days in a show of solidarity with minorities.
Thousands of people from various minorities in Iraq have been forced to flee prosecution at the hands of the Islamic State.
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