Beirut (AsiaNews) – The Maronite Bishops Council once more slammed the failure to elect a new president. However, this time it acknowledged that “serious efforts” had been made to resolve the issue.
Lebanon has been without a president since May 2014 when Michel Suleiman’s term in office ended without the election of a successor because of disputes between the main political forces.
Under the country’s constitution, the presidency is reserved for a member of the country’s Christian minority.
Recently, efforts to solve the issue have intensified, especially after the emergence of Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh as a new presidential candidate.
After its latest monthly meeting, the Council said, “The deadlock should be resolved through thorough discussions and consultations due to the importance of the presidential post”.
Echoing his bishops, Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rahi said, “We support the election of a president as soon as possible to preserve our dignity”.
In a press release, the Council also hailed the release on Tuesday of all 16 Lebanese servicemen held hostage by the al-Qaida-affiliated al-Nusra Front, which is active in Syria.
The soldiers were kidnapped in the wake of clashes between the army and the al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State group in the north-eastern border town of Arsal in August 2014.
After returning from pastoral visits in Mexico and Germany, Cardinal Rahi met with Franjieh (pictured) at the patriarchal see in Bkerké.
For the patriarch, the news about his candidacy has “sparked joy among all Lebanese and reactivated the presidential issue.” In light of this, “We will contact all the relevant leaders in a bid to reach a solution to the presidential crisis”.
Franjieh’s candidacy could bridge the gap between the March 8 Alliance and the March 14 Alliance, pulling the rug from under the more partisan candidates (Michel Aoun and Samir Geagea).
The presidential vacancy of the past 18 months caused by factional divisions has paralysed both the National Assembly and government.
Recently, the Lebanese Mufti Council also spoke out against the country’s political and institutional deadlock, warning that "chaos, destruction, institutional collapse, and State implosion” would ensue if a president was not elected.