Al-Rahi Laments Prolonged Presidential Crisis

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi criticized on Wednesday the prolonged presidential vacuum, expressing disappointment over the ongoing crisis.

“Our mission as bishops is to confront the current challenges and help citizens to surpass them,” al-Rahi said in his sermon during a mass he held in Bkirki on the occasion of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

He stressed that the church is working on promoting the principles that lead to a better political, economic and social life.

MPs failed on several occasions to elect a new head of state over lack of quorum. President Michel Suleiman's term ended in May without the election of a successor.

Hizbullah and Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun's Change and Reform bloc have been boycotting electoral sessions due to a disagreement with the March 14 camp over a compromise presidential candidate.

Al-Rahi continuously expressed fears over the presidential vacuum and its repercussions on the state institutions, slamming the performance of lawmakers.

Lebanon has been the scene of security incidents since the war in Syria erupted three years ago, in particular, in the northern city of Tripoli and along the Lebanese-Syrian border.

The country has witnessed several attacks claimed by radical Sunni groups.

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