Al-Rahi Meets with Ambassadors of Western Powers to Press End of Presidential Vacuum

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi discussed at Bkirki on Thursday with the ambassadors to Lebanon of the five permanent United Nations Security Council members local and regional developments.

Al-Rahi demanded the international community to facilitate the election of a new head of state, expressing support to the ongoing dialogue between the rival parties to bridge the gap.

He considered the presidential crisis a priority.

The meeting was held in presence of papal ambassador to Lebanon Gabriele Caccia, U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Sigrid Kaag and European Union Ambassador to Lebanon Angelina Eichhorst.

Kaag told reporters after the meeting that western powers “share with al-Rahi his concerns about the protracted vacancy.”

She pointed out that the eleven-month stalemate in the election of a president is “undermining Lebanon's ability to address the security, economic and social challenges it faces and has jeopardized the normal functioning of Lebanese institutions.”

The official called on Lebanese officials to “adhere to the country's Constitution, including the Taef Agreement and National Pact,” urging lawmakers to “uphold Lebanon's longstanding democratic tradition and convene to elect a president without further delay.”

Kaag sent a strong message to all parties, calling on them to “act responsibly and put Lebanon's stability and national interests ahead of partisan politics and to show the necessary flexibility and sense of urgency to apply mechanisms provided for by the Lebanese Constitution with regard to the election.”

MPs failed on several occasions to elect a new head of state over lack of quorum. President Michel Suleiman's term ended in May without the election of a successor.

Hizbullah and Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun's Change and Reform bloc have been boycotting electoral sessions due to a disagreement with the March 14 camp over a compromise presidential candidate.