Yazigi Calls for All-embracing Cabinet, Urges Responsibility in Case of Kidnapped Bishops

Greek Orthodox Patriarch Youhanna X Yazigi stressed on Tuesday the importance of forming an all-embracing government to avoid a constitutional vacuum and consolidate civil peace.

During a synod held in Balamand, he called for consolidating Lebanon and distancing it from the crises in the region.

Yazigi said an all-embracing cabinet should be formed to confront dangers, avoid constitutional vacuum and consolidate civil peace in Lebanon and the region.

He urged both Muslims and Christians to unite to build their societies.

He also called on governments and the international community to deal responsibly with the case of the kidnapped Orthodox bishops in Syria - Yohanna Ibrahim and Boulos Yazij.

The bishops were abducted by gunmen at the end of April near the Syrian city of Aleppo.

Yazigi hoped that the clergymen were safe and that they would be released soon.

But he slammed the lack of information on their safety or well-being.

The patriarch said the synod will discuss issues related to the church and the developments in the region, mainly Syria.

He called for coexistence in Syria and said Eid al-Adha should be an occasion “to join hands to build our societies for the sake of humanity.”