Report: Al-Rahi Kicks Off Talks with Maronite Rivals to End Presidential Crisis

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi wrapped up the first round of talks with Christian leaders to press them to ease tension and elect a new head of state.

According to An Nahar newspaper published on Saturday, al-Rahi dispatched former Minister Roger Deeb to visit the four Maronite leaders separately.

Diab's tour included Kataeb Party chief Amin Gemayel, Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun, head of the Lebanese Forces Samir Geagea and Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh.

The envoy briefed the four leaders on al-Rahi's recent meeting with French President Francois Hollande, the daily reported.

Media reports said on Tuesday that a papal envoy will arrive in Beirut at the end of May to press forward the election of a new president amid the sharp rift among the political arch-foes over a consensual candidate.

The Vatican’s move comes in light of al-Rahi's recent visit to Paris, where he met with Hollande and underlined the importance of France's role in pushing forward the election of a president.

France is reportedly seeking to end the presidential stalemate in coordination with the Patriarch, who will discuss the possible options to reach a settlement with Christian rivals.

Lebanon has been without a president since May last year 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 election.

Hizbullah's Loyalty to the Resistance and Aoun's Change and Reform blocs have been boycotting the polls over the dispute.

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