Al-Rahi Vows to Seek Consensus among Parties after Latest Presidential 'Developments'

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi pledged Tuesday to seek “consensus among all parties” in light of the latest “developments” regarding the issue of the presidential election.

“We have learned of the new initiative and the step forward that was made, which have been met with positive, neutral and negative responses from the various political components,” al-Rahi said during a pastoral visit to Berlin.

“Such a new step is necessary for resolving the obstacles that are hindering the election of a president and we have always called for such a step among the political and parliamentary parties,” he added.

“As usual, we will seek consensus among everyone … in light of the new developments that the presidential issue has witnessed, and out of keenness on protecting the republic and its entity and institutions,” the patriarch vowed.

His remarks come amid a flurry of political talks in the country that followed a Paris meeting between al-Mustaqbal movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri and Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh.

The meeting sparked intense speculation that the two leaders agreed to the nomination of the Marada chief for the presidency.

Y.R.