Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Asharq Al-Awsat
Asharq Al-Awsat
World
Beirut - Asharq Al-Awsat

Lebanon’s Maronite Patriarch Calls for Electing Impartial President

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi seen in Wadi Qannoubine on Sunday (NNA)

Lebanon’s Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi has urged political parties to secure the formation of a government and the election of a new president.

The patriarch called for a president who abides by the Lebanese cause, national principles and Lebanon’s sovereignty and independence, and who respects the principle of impartiality.

He rejected a president who is influenced by the regional axes.

Rahi’s comments came during a mass sermon in the Qannoubine Valley attended by Caretaker Information Minister Ziad Makari.

The patriarch strongly rejected any delay in the election of a new president.

“We cannot call for Lebanon’s neutrality and choose a president who is biased towards the axes and thus unable to implement neutrality,” he stressed.

On maritime demarcation talks between Lebanon and Israel, Rahi said that Lebanon “cannot wait for a long time to extract gas and oil while Israel is already doing so.”

He called on the US, which is mediating the negotiations, to resolve the problem.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.