Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Rahi received caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati in Bkerke, accompanied by former Minister Nicolas Nahas, Bishop Boulos Sayah, and the media officer at the patriarchal edifice, Walid Ghayyad.
After the visit, Mikati spoke, stating, "As we do every time our beloved country faces existential threats, we come to this national and historical edifice to seek the wisdom of His Eminence, Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros Rahi. We conducted a broad discussion on the proposed and available solutions to extricate Lebanon from the grip of the devastating war. Our perspectives align regarding the necessity of urging the countries of the world to pressure the Israeli enemy to stop its aggression against Lebanon."
He added, "I briefed His Eminence on the consensus reached during the meeting in Ain El-Tineh with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt regarding the urgency of fulfilling our national duty and addressing the grave and delicate circumstances we are all facing without exception. The Israeli enemy does not distinguish in its unjust aggression between Muslims and Christians. Therefore, we saw it as our national duty, from our responsible position, to invite all political forces to a dialogue meeting, from which we emerge with a united stance that expresses our solidarity with one another, setting aside our political differences. Our shared concern today is how to confront the threats to our existence with a unified rescue stance. Let us all come together to elect a consensus president for the republic today before tomorrow. Let us rise above our narrow disagreements. The nation is in imminent danger, and saving it requires a shared courageous stance."
Mikati continued, "His Eminence is supportive of any comprehensive national meeting; the time is for rescue work. I sensed His Eminence's enthusiasm and zeal to achieve what must be accomplished before it is too late. He encourages everyone, Christians and Muslims alike, to come together around a common word."
Mikati stated, "His Eminence supports any rescue efforts that lead to consensus on how to emerge from this disaster with the least possible losses. He also immediately encourages the election of a president whose priorities include uniting the voice of the Lebanese people. May God grant us success."
In response to a question about the criticisms directed at yesterday's meeting, he said, "I regret the comments that focused on form rather than the unifying national substance presented in the statement. I would have preferred that the team criticizing the form of the meeting focus on the substance of the statement, which emphasized the need to halt the violence, implement Resolution 1701, and elect a president. The statement did not mention anything else; it was a national statement par excellence. We hope everyone supports this statement and that we work together to implement its content, as we have always protected the interests of Lebanon and the Lebanese people, yesterday, today, and tomorrow."
When asked about the dialogue and who would lead it, Mikati indicated that "the primary issue is the election of the president. Today, there are perhaps some disagreements regarding names. Speaker Berri stated, as we mentioned in the statement, that the president should not not be aligned with one team against another. This is what is required at this time."
In response to a question, Mikati said, "Yesterday's statement was clear in calling for the election of a president. We did not set any conditions, but ultimately, the fundamental issue lies with the Christians, and we must reach a consensus on the president. Neither the Muslim nor the Christian factions can elect a president alone. The Taif Agreement was clear on this issue, which has become part of the constitution and stipulates that the president is elected by a two-thirds majority to prevent a single team from monopolizing the election. Let us approach this issue wisely so that the president represents the majority of the Lebanese people without challenging anyone. We want a president whose election signifies a reduction in problems, not an addition to them."
Mikati emphasized that "the current situation does not allow for trivial arguments or misplaced accusations. The content of the issued statement should be evaluated in a purely national spirit."
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