Al-Rahi Heads to Vatican, Says New Cabinet Shouldn’t Lead to Crisis

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi called on Tuesday for the formation of a government that does not lead to a crisis in Lebanon and for holding the presidential elections on time.

“The government should not cause a crisis if it was formed according to everyone's wishes in Lebanon,” al-Rahi told reporters at Rafik Hariri International Airport before making a two-week trip to the Vatican.

The patriarch is scheduled to brief Pope Francis on the National Charter that received wide support from Lebanese politicians from across the political spectrum.

Al-Rahi announced the Charter following the monthly meeting of the council of Maronite bishops last Wednesday. It stressed the need for the election of a new president on time and for Muslim-Christian partnership in the country.

“I don't think it is appropriate to create a new crisis,” the patriarch said. “It would also be disrespectful for the president and the premier-designate to form a government that does not receive parliament's vote of confidence.”

“It would be illogical for them to wait for ten months to form a government that does not receive a confidence,” he said.

The new government should set the stage for the presidential elections, al-Rahi stressed.

“Let's focus on this constitutional event and see how things would unfold and Lebanon would move forward,” he added.