Maronite Bishops: Election of President Must be Product of Thorough Discussions

The Maronite Bishops Council condemned on Friday the ongoing vacuum in the presidency, noting however that “serious efforts” have been launched to resolve the issue.

It said after its monthly meeting: “The deadlock should be resolved through thorough discussions and consultations due to the importance of the presidential post.”

Recent efforts have been kicked off to end the vacuum, amid the emergence of Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh as a new presidential candidate.

After the bishops' meeting, Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi remarked: “We support the election of a president as soon as possible to preserve our dignity.”

Lebanon has been without a president since May 2014 when the term of Michel Suleiman ended without the election of a successor.

Ongoing disputes between the rival March 8 and 14 camps over a compromise candidate have thwarted the polls.

The Maronite Bishops Council also hailed the release of the servicemen who were held hostage by the al-Qaida-affiliated al-Nusra Front.

“We thank all who helped ensure their safe return,” they stated, while hoping that the remaining hostages, held by the Islamic State, will also be freed.

The servicemen were kidnapped in the wake of clashes between the army and al-Nusra Front and IS in the northeastern border town of Arsal in August 2014.

All 16 of the hostages held by al-Nusra Front were released on Tuesday.

Nine hostages still remain and they are held by the IS.

M.T.

D.A.