On Tuesday, the Maronite Patriarch’s summer headquarters in Diman, north of Lebanon, hosted a consultative meeting of the caretaker government, chaired by Prime Minister Najib Mikati and attended by the Maronite Patriarch, Bechara al-Rai.
A statement released at the end of the meeting, which was attended by 15 ministers, underlined the array of political, economic, social, and financial risks that threaten Lebanon’s mere existence, national coexistence, identity, and social fabric.
The meeting urged the Lebanese, regardless of their political and confessional affiliations, “to protect the unique Lebanese formula by consolidating their commitment to their unified national identity and reinforcing unity through diversity,” away from the rhetoric of separation and division.
The statement said, “In light of all the challenges facing Lebanon,” the consultative ministerial meeting highlighted “the urgency of electing a president who will lead the rescue and recovery efforts,” stressing that “there can be no proper functioning of the state without a president.”
The meeting called on all political powers to adhere to the Taif Agreement and the Pact of National Coexistence by renouncing any actions that may jeopardize the unique Lebanese formula.
It also invited all authorities, educational and media institutions, private and official organizations, and the vibrant civil society, as well as the Lebanese people in all their affiliations, to uphold the national identity, its general etiquette, the moral heritage passed down through generations, and its religious values, particularly concerning the protection of family values.
The meeting also urged the citizens to engage in an open dialogue amongst themselves in order to reassure each other and to reaffirm their brotherhood, partnership in the homeland, thoughts, rights, and effective national belonging.
Finally, it called for sincere collaboration between all Lebanese components to formulate a unified stance on the Syrian refugee crisis. This cooperation should involve working with the Syrian state and the international community to resolve the matter while preserving Lebanon’s unity and identity.
Al-Rai opened the meeting by emphasizing its spontaneous nature as a candid platform for dialogue and consultation on pressing national matters.
“The idea behind this meeting was initiated spontaneously. It’s not a formal cabinet session, but an open platform for consultation and dialogue on various national issues,” al-Rai said, while regretting any exaggerated interpretations of the meeting’s intent.
He continued, “When the French presidential envoy, Mr. Le Drian, visited me for the first time, I told him that not everything he hears is reality. We are a parliamentary democratic republic, and there are two presidential candidates. Let the MPs do their duty and vote, whether they elect a president or not. Depending on the results, we will engage in dialogue and reach agreement on a third candidate.”
Al-Rai described the meeting as “free and fraternal,” aimed at discussing all issues with clarity.
“We will say what needs to be said,” he stressed, adding, “Regrettably, the country is heading toward destruction while the state is in dispute, and the ongoing debates about the government’s authority are the result of these (unusual) circumstances.”
On his part, Mikati said “the idea for this meeting came at the right time” when he met with al-Rai last week.
He stressed that discussions cover “issues that unite the Lebanese,” notably safeguarding the Lebanese formula and diversity within national unity, which is considered to be an asset of Lebanon.
“This meeting does not call into question the Taif Agreement but is part of the spirit of dialogue and convergence between the Lebanese,” Mikati said.
“We are prepared to be a bridge for all Lebanese citizens and engage in dialogue on matters that unite us. If we cannot move forward, even within the scope of dialogue and convergence, the country will not recover,” he added.