The seat of the Maronite Patriarchate in Bkirki. (Credit: NNA)
BEIRUT — The assembly of Lebanese Maronite bishops urged local politicians Wednesday to "take advantage of the positive atmosphere" at the international level around the presidential election, which has stalled since September.
Lebanon has had no president since former head of state Michel Aoun's term ended Oct. 31. Meanwhile, the previous cabinet has been serving in caretaker mode since no new one was formed after legislative elections in May.
In their statement issued at the end of their monthly meeting in Bkirki, the Maronite bishops said they "believe that the international and Arab communication underway regarding the Lebanese presidential election gives renewed hope for the election of a president by the Parliament." The bishops then called on the leaders of political parties and parliamentary blocs, urging them "to take advantage of this positive atmosphere to make this election a success." A 10th parliamentary session meant to try electing a president is set for Thursday. The previous nine sessions all failed to result in a new head of state.
The statement went on to criticize a meeting last week by the caretaker cabinet, echoing Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai's most recent sermon. "It was possible to resolve the essential issues concerning the citizens through other constitutional means, without the resigning government meeting," the bishops said in Wednesday's statement.
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati had convened the meeting to address an agenda focused on social and medical assistance amid Lebanon's current economic crisis. Several ministers close to the Free Patriotic Movement boycotted the session.
The FPM accuses Mikati of wanting to seize presidential authorities in the context of the current executive power vacuum.