Audeh Calls on Politicians to Abandon Narrow Interests, Urges Unity
Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Beirut Elias Audeh called on Thursday politicians to give up their narrow interests to safeguard the country, pointing out that the Lebanese are divided instead of exerting efforts to unite to avert dangers surrounding the state.
“Don't the Lebanese deserve that politicians give up their personal and narrow interests?” Audeh wondered in his Christmas sermon at St. George cathedral in downtown Beirut.
He lamented the absence of a head of state, considering it “impedes the work of the state.”
Audeh wondered if hindering the presidential elections is democratic, saying: “Lawmakers who are boycotting the presidential elections were capable of renewing the term of their parliament.”
“The presidential vacuum affects all the country and the Lebanese have the right to have a capable and active republic.”
Lebanon's presidential crisis has spilled over into parliament, which has failed to hold legislative sessions to elect a new head of state.
The Lebanese parliament is tasked by the constitution to select a president, a decision that has already been put off more than a dozen of times as the war in Syria continues to divide rival political blocs.
The term of President Michel Suleiman ended in May.
Audeh expressed belief that “politics ruins everything in Lebanon and endangers the health of its citizens.”
H.K.
M.T.
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