Beirut (AsiaNews) – Independence, sovereignty freedom, and self-government are what should unite, not divide Lebanese Christians, this according to Maronite patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir. In an interview with Al-Arabiya, an Arabic-language television news channel, the prelate said that the next Lebanese president should be a man who is "above the parties, experienced, trustworthy and unbiased".

In response to a question about General Michel Aoun's possible candidacy to the presidency, a post traditionally reserved to a Christian, the head of the Maronite Church offered an appraisal of the situation of Lebanese Christians.

The cardinal said that "when General Aoun was in exile, we said that all communities had their own leaders, except for Christians. For this reasons we insisted that Samir Geagea [in prison for alleged crimes committed during the civil war] should be freed and that Aoun should be allowed to return".

Both requests have been fulfilled, "but we now see that Geagea and Aoun are on opposite sides and this has split the Christian community into two camps. I ask myself whether this division is in the interests of the Christian community or not".

For a year now, Aoun's political party has sided with Hizbollah, and thus Syria and Iran, whereas Geagea has been pro–US and Europe.

"We do not view the two camps the same way," the Patriarch said. "We have however said that there has been international influence on Lebanon. And when outsiders interfere in our affairs, things get complicated."

Speaking about the presidency, the cardinal said that "we defend the office, whose standing must be upheld. Everyone should respect it. However, when its powers wither, it can no longer be respected."

"The presidency has specific functions, but when the president's words are not longer heeded, the office becomes marginalised. This is something we do not want."

This said the presidency remains a "Lebanese issue. It is we who ought to have a say on whether the holder quits or completes his term."

Similarly, the Lebanese alone should be involved in finding a solution to the difficult question of disarming Hizbollah, one that is peaceful and not based on force.