Bkirki Christian Summit Rejects Cabinet Resignation amid Presidential Vacuum
Christian spiritual leaders convened at Bkirki on Monday to voice their support for the cabinet of Prime Minister Tammam Salam, demanding an end to the ongoing vacuum in the presidency.
The gatherers said in a statement: “We reject the resignation of the government and support efforts to preserve it given the presidential vacuum.”
The country will not be able to tolerate vacuum in the presidency and government should the latter resign, they explained.
Moreover, they stressed: “Salam's efforts should be backed with the election of a head of state, which is an issue that concerns all Lebanese.”
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.
Addressing civil society protests that have been demanding an end to the garbage management crisis, the gatherers at Bkirki said: “We support their demands, but highlight the danger of the tensions on the street in the wake of the regional unrest.”
They expressed their backing for the rallies “on condition that they do not damage public property or take a violent turn through thugs.”
Furthermore, they urged politicians to set aside their disputes and prevent them from affecting the people's daily lives and instead reach consensus on a number of pending issues.
The spiritual summit was expected to include the participation of Muslim leaders, but they failed to attend due to undisclosed reasons.
The “You Stink” civil society activists have been staging demonstrations demanding an end to the trash crisis.
Thousands of protesters took to the streets on Saturday to call for the resignation of Environment Minister Mohammed al-Mashnouq and for Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq to be held accountable for security forces' use of force against demonstrators a week earlier.
They gave the cabinet 72 hours to meet their demands otherwise be faced with “escalatory measures.”
M.T.
G.K.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/188743 |