Al-Rahi Exerting Efforts to End Presidential Vacuum, to Meet Prominent Western Ambassador
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi will reportedly meet on Thursday the ambassadors to Lebanon of western powers, Gabriele Caccia, the papal ambassador to Lebanon and U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Sigrid Kaag to urge them to facilitate the election of a new head of state.
According to al-Joumhouria newspaper published on Wednesday, Bkirki's move comes in light of its continued efforts to resolve the presidential deadlock.
Sources told the daily that the patriarch “will exert efforts” to resolve the presidential dispute, pointing out that his meeting with the ambassadors aims at “urging them to interfere to facilitate the election of a new president.”
“The matter will not remain a local affair when the Lebanese fail to carry out their duties.”
The patriarch's main concern is to “elect a new president as the repercussions of the vacuum have begun surfacing on all levels,” the sources added.
“Al-Rahi fears that vacuum will expand and impact other state institutions, which will consequently harm the active Christian presence day after day,” they said.
MPs failed on several occasions to elect a new head of state over lack of quorum. President Michel Suleiman's term ended in May without the election of a successor.
Hizbullah and Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun's Change and Reform bloc have been boycotting electoral sessions due to a disagreement with the March 14 camp over a compromise presidential candidate.
The patriarch is expected to travel to the French capital Paris on April 26 where he will discuss with French President Francois Hollande the presidential stalemate and the Christian role in the Middle East.
“Al-Rahi believes that the president is the sole guarantee for the continuation of coexistence and the state,” the sources remarked.
H.K.
M.T.
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