Maronite Bishops Condemn Violation of Constitution, Call for Supporting Army Politically
The Maronite Bishops Council condemned on Wednesday the violation of the constitution in Lebanon through the parliament's extension of its own term and failure to elect a new president.
It said in a statement after its monthly meeting: “We question how the parliament extended its term and failed to elect a president.”
“Are the dangers of the parliamentary vacuum greater than the presidential one?” it wondered.
“We condemn the violation of the constitution and how it is manipulated to serve political interests that contradict Lebanon's democratic history,” it added.
“We condemn everything that targets the essence of democracy and contradicts the constitution and National Pact,” it continued, while noting that democratic norms are being disregarded for an oligarchical system.
“We call for putting an end to stalling in electing a president, while condemning the various excuses that have been used to justify the failure,” stressed the statement.
Lebanon has been without a president since May when the term of Michel Suleiman ended.
Ongoing disputes between the rival March 8 and 14 camps over a compromise candidate have thwarted the elections.
The Maronite Bishops also condemned Tuesday's attack against the army in the Ras Baalbek region, saluting it for its role in maintaining stability and confronting terrorism.
It demanded that the security plan adopted by the government earlier this year be imposed throughout Lebanon.
Addressing the case of the Arsal captives, the bishops called on the government to take a decisive stand regarding holding negotiations with the kidnappers.
A number of policemen and soldiers were abducted by Islamist gunmen from Syria in August in light of clashes in the northeastern border town of Arsal.
M.T.
H.K.
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