Yaziji Rejects Establishment of Federal System in Lebanon, Any Arab Country

Greek Orthodox Patriarch of the Levant and Antioch Youhanna Yaziji voiced his rejection of a proposal to form a federation in Lebanon, reported the daily al-Mustaqbal on Sunday.

He told the daily: “We cannot accept the establishment of a federation in Lebanon or any other Arab country.”

“We also reject the formation of a Sunni, Shiite, or Christian state,” he continued.

“Such proposal do not solve any problems,” he explained.

“We seek the establishment of a united state for all,” stressed Yaziji.

“We are committed to the principles of coexistence between Muslims and Christians and on finding peaceful and political solutions to problems,” he added.

Earlier this week, head of the Free Patriotic Movement MP Michel Aoun had reiterated his call for the election of a “strong president”.

“We may be forced to evolve he system … we should either elect a strong Christian president or be faced with a federal system,” he warned.

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.

Hizbullah's Loyalty to the Resistance and Aoun's Change and Reform blocs have been boycotting electoral sessions at parliament over the dispute.

Aoun had previously proposed that a new president be elected directly by the people as a solution to end the deadlock.

M.T.