Al-Rahi Says Pope Discussing Presidency with Key Parties but Ball in Lebanese Court

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Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi confirmed Tuesday that Pope Francis is holding consultations with all the regional and international players who can influence the stalled presidential vote in Lebanon while noting that “the Lebanese must play the main role.”

“The Lebanese must make up their minds and be at the level of all people's expectations,” said al-Rahi at Beirut's airport upon his arrival from a visit to the Vatican.

“The pope as well as Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and the secretary for relations with states are all concerned about Lebanon, especially about the presidential election,” the patriarch added.

He said the pontiff and the Vatican's top officials call on all Lebanese and on political and parliamentary blocs to “elect a president, because it is unacceptable to keep the situation in Lebanon like this.”

“This concern is a tangible concern and they are following it up with all the parties who have a say in this regard but the Lebanese must play the main role,” al-Rahi added.

The Vatican has reportedly expressed its satisfaction with the latest rapprochement between Lebanon's top Christian parties – the Lebanese Forces and the Free Patriotic Movement, according to Maronite Bishop of Beirut Boulos Matar.

LF chief Samir Geagea withdrew from the presidential race last week and announced his endorsement of his long-time rival MP Michel Aoun, the founder of the FPM.

The move came after al-Mustaqbal movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri proposed the nomination of Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh for the presidency.

Lebanon’s political crisis, which erupted following the end of the term of President Michel Suleiman in May 2014, was likely discussed during talks between Pope Francis and Iran's President Hassan Rouhani in Rome on Tuesday.

The Lebanese crisis is also expected to be among the major topics that will be discussed by Rouhani and French President Francois Hollande.

Y.R.

M.T.

Comments 1
Missing humble 26 January 2016, 21:13

"Anybody, but not him".