Rifi Calls on Rivals to Assume Responsibilities, Unify Efforts

Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi expressed hope on Friday that the political arch-foes would bridge the gap and agree on surpassing the difficult stage that the country is passing through.

“We have to confront the enormous challenges,” Rifi said in comments published in al-Liwaa newspaper.

He urged officials to assume their responsibilities and end the presidential deadlock.

Lebanon has been plunged into a leadership vacuum after Michel Suleiman's presidential term ended on Sunday with rival political blocs still divided over a new leader.

Over the past two months the parliament convened five times to try to elect a successor to Suleiman but failed during the last four sessions due to a lack of quorum.

H.K.

G.K.