Report: Suleiman, al-Rahi to Hold Meeting Away from Media Spotlight on Friday
A meeting will be held on Friday between President Michel Suleiman and Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi in Bkirki on the sidelines of issuing the memorial book on the official visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Lebanon.
According to al-Joumhouria newspaper published on Thursday the behind-closed doors meeting will address Suleiman's recent visit to Saudi Arabia and the new cabinet formation standstill.
The president returned on Tuesday from Saudi Arabia, where a day earlier he held talks with King Abdullah during a meeting attended by former Prime Minister Saad Hariri, top Saudi officials, including Crown Prince Salman and the Saudi ministers of foreign affairs, interior and information.
The daily reported that al-Rahi will also brief Suleiman on his latest visit to the Rome and the Vatican's stance from the crises in Lebanon.
Al-Rahi traveled to the Vatican in October for a one-week visit after wrapping up his pastoral trip to the United Stated.
A source in Bkirki told al-Joumhouria newspaper that al-Rahi rejects extending the term of President Suleiman, who in his turn continuously ruled out any possibility for extending his presidential tenure.
The tenure of Suleiman ends in May 2014.
“The matter will be discussed during al-Rahi and Suleiman's meeting on Friday,” the source said.
Talks over the presidential elections come amid soaring political tensions and the failure to form a new government.
Under article 49 of the Lebanese Constitution, the president shall be elected by secret ballot and by a two thirds majority of the 128-seat parliament.
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