The Maronite Patriarch, Bechara Rai, addressed the “endless” presidential vacuum. In his Sunday sermon in Dimane, he highlighted that “it leaves negative impacts, including the disruption of institutions, the disintegration of administrations, and the violation of laws, culminating in targeting Christian Maronite positions in the state in preparation for undermining them.”
“This now threatens the formula of participation and equality in governance and administrations,” Rai added.
While noting that “everyone is waiting for external initiatives, which are appreciated,” the Maronite Patriarch stressed that “they should not override the will of the Lebanese people.”
“It is regrettable and shameful that the election of a president remains hostage to external bets and developments. We hope the parliament will respond to the efforts of the Quintet Committee to put an end to the abnormal situation in Lebanon,” he said.
Rai then accused the state as being “headless” and “lacking the highest element of its national charter, which has been vacant for nearly two “years.”
He pointed out that the Lebanese people are “suffering under the burden of education, livelihood, and job opportunities, which are the core responsibilities of the state, committed to caring for its citizens,” noting that “this responsibility is absent.”
