Al-Rahi Reminds MPs of Moral Duties, Says President Should be Accepted by All Sides
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi said on Thursday that lawmakers had a “moral duty” to guarantee the needed two-thirds quorum for the election of a new president who should garner the support of all parties.
In remarks following talks with Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain el-Tineh, al-Rahi said: “The MPs have a moral duty to attend the parliamentary sessions because they have been elected by the people.”
“Isn't that true?” he asked Berri, who stood behind him. Berri replied “True.”
The parliament failed to elect a new president on Wednesday after no candidate secured the two-thirds of the votes needed to win and many lawmakers cast blank ballots and then left the parliament hall.
Those who walked out were members of the March 8 alliance, including MPs from Berri's parliamentary bloc.
Al-Rahi hoped there would be quorum during the second round of elections next week and all coming sessions “so that MPs meet and elect responsibly.”
“The strength of the next president lies in being acceptable by all sides,” he said.
“We don't call the head of state a consensual president,” al-Rahi later said at Rafik Hariri International Airport before traveling to Rome.
“We should not insult each other every time there is a political event ... Lebanon is based on partnership,” al-Rahi told reporters.
The patriarch said it was “necessary” for him to meet with the speaker before heading to Rome. “We have always been in contact over the elections.”
“Some people found (Wednesday's) session negative and others positive,” he told reporters.
“I thanked Berri for calling for the session and for the second round next week,” he said.
But he stressed that the “same scenario” should “not be repeated” during the second vote on April 30, when the winning candidate will need only a simple majority of 65 votes.
Lawmakers must pick a replacement for President Michel Suleiman before his term expires at midnight May 24. He leaves Baabda Palace the next day.
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