Maronite Patriarch Beshara Boutros Rahi, on Sunday called for a clear announcement of the names of the presidential candidates to save the country from being held hostage to a political game whose stakes are unknown.

 

During Sunday Mass in Bkerki, the prelate recalled the statement issued Wednesday by the Maronite bishops, noting that this exhortation was made on behalf of the Lebanese people.

 

In his words, the appeal of the Maronite prelates was launched under the preamble of the Constitution, which stipulated that the Lebanese people were the source of power and sovereignty, exercised through constitutional institutions.

 

Rahi explained that the Lebanese people thought that current political practices and the management of government were against the obligations mentioned in the Constitution.

 

"Political powers must reactivate constitutional institutions, including the election of a president under Articles 73, 74 and 75 of the Constitution and in accordance with the national pact; from the latter, any partner in the homeland should protect the rights of others, so that both enjoy good balanced representation in power and administration," said the prelate.

 

This would restore the work of Parliament and the Council of Ministers, according to Rahi.

 

The Patriarch stressed that pivotal national issues should be in the hand of the president rather than warring political factions.

 

"We must allow the President the power to bring these issues to the Parliament and or government, under the Constitution, provided that the President enjoys wisdom and knowledge, as indicated by the Maronite bishops in their statement," he said, insisting that such a president should not be a façade for someone else's agenda, nor should he lack the power to act.

 

According to the Patriarch, the duty now fell on political and parliamentary blocs to announce openly and clearly the names of presidential candidates to save the country, the people and institutions from becoming hostages of a political game with unknown and perilous outcomes.

 

"It is time that political forces head to Parliament to elect a President abiding by the Constitution and the democratic parliamentary system," he said.