Al-Rahi Lashes Out at Politicians who 'Want Everything'

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi on Sunday urged the formation of a new government “in agreement between the PM-designate and the President” and according to “the pact of equal and balanced partnership.”

“It is unacceptable for the premiership post to remain vacant and the Presidency in the final phase of its tenure should not remain without a government,” al-Rahi said in his Sunday Mass sermon.

“If there is an intention and a will, the government can be formed within 24 hours, but rulers do not fulfill what the people desire,” the patriarch lamented.

He added: “It seems that the formation process is still colliding with another type of immunities, which are the immunities of hegemony, politicians’ influence and the immunities of parties, blocs, interests, share-splitting and foreign allegiances.”

“What’s laughable yet lamentable is that everyone declared yesterday that they do not want anything and here they are today demanding everything. How can they say that they want a government of nonpartisan technicians, specialists and independents while seeking to pick the portfolios and name the ministers by themselves?” al-Rahi asked.

He also warned that the country cannot withstand further “deviousness and maneuvering,” calling for the formation of a salvation government without any delay.