Al-Rahi Urges 'Immediate' Election of New President: I don't Nominate or Exclude Anyone
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi demanded MPs on Wednesday to “immediately elect a new president based on whom they think is the strongest” candidate.
"I don't have any (favored) presidential candidate and I don't nominate or exclude anyone,” al-Rahi told the diplomats of the five permanent member countries of the U.N. Security Council.
"This is because I respect democracy, the parliament and the MPs,” he explained.
He assured that all reports about him suggesting names “are not true.”
"MPs must head to the parliament and elect a president whom they think is the strongest,” al-Rahi stressed.
The patriarch convened with the American, British and Russian ambassadors to Lebanon and the French and Chinese charges d'affaires during an expanded meeting of the patriarchs of the Orient in Bkirki.
The meeting was dedicated for tackling the persecution of Christians in the Middle East and Iraq in particular, where Islamic State militants have been waging a campaign against minorities, forcing thousands of people to flee their homes.
Al-Rahi has repeatedly called for electing a new head of state “as soon as possible,” describing any delay in holding the crucial polls as “a big crime.”
Former President Michel Suleiman left the Baabda Palace on May 25 without a successor to take office in the coming six years as differences between the March 14 and the March 8 coalition prevented holding the vote at the parliament for 11 consecutive sessions.
Separately, the head of the Maronite Church is scheduled to travel to the Vatican on Thursday morning to inform officials there on the situation of Christians in Iraq.
S.D.B.
over 9 years
It's spelled: LEBANON, and you missed the point completely, nobody has the capacity to speak freely there.
over 9 years
that southern's ridiculous Portuguese spell check he keeps it on all the time while pretending to be a Cristhian
over 9 years
Can we stop with the childish, repeated, pasted links and grow up? Two thumbs up to Flamethrower's impostor. As for the actual article, no offence but the patriarch has lost all credibility in my mind. He keeps changing his stance, not to mention that he shouldn't have one. This idea of the church having an influence in politics needs to stop. A clergyman is supposed to be a clergyman and nothing more. Just a side note: if he really "respects" democracy, then he would suggest an overhaul of the entire system which lacks democracy.
over 9 years
Keyword "represented" not currently represent. Texas, just because fanatics like Nasrallah impose their policies doesn't mean everyone else should. Two wrongs don't make a right. And what you meant is clerics* like Nasrallah. Clergy is for the church.
over 9 years
What hypocrisy and double standards are you referring to? And this is my only username. I speak for myself, unlike you who has Roar come to your defence. Which foulmouthed M14er am I "rooting" for? Do you even know what you're saying? Did you forget to take your meds again?
over 9 years
Welcome to the club, now try to think openly and not one sided. Christianity is used and abused by everyone there. Sure get at one side don't like them either, but don't blindly ignore the other.
over 9 years
Read up about Taqiya, you're being played.
over 9 years
Ignoring one side won't make it any better, actually it solves nothing.
over 9 years
Only a god should be President of Lebanon and this god is Aoun. Oh my god, or should I say oh my Aoun, I cannot contain my self from the extreme excitement when our god Aoun will be President. Aoun is 81 years old in human years but as a god he has no age, he is eternal...
It's sad when a prominent figure such as the patriarch can't even speak his mind, only keep neutral through political jargon. If there was true freedom, and no threat of being shot or blown up (hint hint) then there would be normalcy.