Mikati tells al-Rahi he doesn't talk sectarianly in govt. file

Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati held talks Thursday in Bkirki with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mikati said he briefed the patriarch on “the important issue that is about to be finalized, which is related to the demarcation of the maritime border.”

“His Eminence inquired about some of the details of this agreement, and I told him that despite the importance of this agreement strategically, today I’m personally pleased over two issues: that we are avoiding a certain war in the region, and secondly and most importantly is that when we unite and we have a unified decision we can reach what we all want,” the PM added.

“Unity is necessary, especially amid these circumstances, and it must be present to elect a new president, regardless of the figure and the opinions of each camp, and we must work with full seriousness to elect a president in these circumstances,” Mikati went on to say.

He added that the talks also tackled the government formation file. “I stressed to His Eminence that I’m the last person to talk about sectarianism and that I believe in Lebanon, its unity and the building of the state,” Mikati said.

“Today we must avoid talking about any matters that lead to further fragmentation, and we must discuss what can bring the Lebanese together rather than push them away from each other,” the PM-designate added.