In a sermon given on the International Day of Peace on Wednesday, Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai called for vigilance, pointing out that “the presidential election scheduled for January 9 must take place.” He warned against postponing the session, indicating that such a maneuver would risk compromising the confidence of the Lebanese and the international community in the country.
Rai further declared, “It is imperative not to mortgage Lebanon's future for the benefit of an individual or a group.” According to him, the presidential candidate who obtains the necessary support will be the one to head the state, in accordance with Article 49 of the Constitution, which states that the president of the Republic is the symbol of the unity of the country and of all Lebanese. Thus, “in view of the current situation, each and every one of us should support this step,” stressed the patriarch.
“We look forward to the ninth day of this month, when Parliament will meet to elect a president,” Rai said, extending his prayers for the election of “a capable and suitable president for Lebanon.”
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