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PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

Rai criticizes those who want to 'impose' a president, Kaouk insists that consensus is the solution

“The backbone of the state is destroyed in front of our eyes by interference and pressure,” the Maronite patriarch said Sunday in reference to the Lebanese judiciary.

Rai criticizes those who want to 'impose' a president, Kaouk insists that consensus is the solution

The head of the Maronite church, Bechara al-Rai. (Credit: NNA)

BEIRUT — Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai said during his Sunday homily that “some [political figures] talk about the necessity of dialogue in order to reach a consensual candidate [for the presidency], while they cling to their candidate and want to impose [that candidate] on others.” Meanwhile, Hezbollah central council member Nabil Kaouk said on Sunday that when it comes to successfully electing a president “the only available solution is to speed up the start of dialogue to reach a Lebanese-Lebanese consensus. There is no alternative to consensus, neither today nor tomorrow nor the day after.”

“Lebanon does not tolerate external dictates, presidential or otherwise, and today we cannot allow the dictation and imposition of a president for the republic by regional or international countries,” Kaouk continued.

Rai, during his sermon, meanwhile said, “They talk about the necessity of dialogue in order to reach a consensual candidate [for the presidency], while some cling to their candidate and want to impose it on others, and others cling to the right of veto against the candidacy of this or that of the qualified personalities, and they are numerous.” 

In September, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said, “There are calls for unity around a president, and we call for a consensus on a name, away from vetoes.” 

Rai, however, has insisted several times during his sermons that the president should be “elected and not imposed.”

Michel Aoun's presidential term ended Oct. 31. To date, Parliament has held 11 sessions to elect his successor, all of which have ended in failure.

Hezbollah and its allies cast blank ballots at each of these sessions, while their political camp has yet to reach an agreement on a single candidate.

Hezbollah has said it wants a consensual president who “saves” the country and does not “conspire against the resistance.”

On Sunday, Rai said that electing a president “requires dialogue, and if it takes place, it should start first from Lebanon and its situation and the situation of the Lebanese, and then search for the best candidate for those circumstances.”

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He blamed the MPs who “refrain from electing a president for the republic, and prefer the worsening collapse of constitutional and public institutions, and the oppression of the people.”

Judiciary ‘destroyed’

Turning his attention to the judiciary in Lebanon, Rai described it as “the backbone of the state” and said it is being “destroyed in front of our eyes by interference and pressure.” He went on to say that this is the “result of the absence of a head of state.”

In late January, Public Prosecutor at Lebanon's Court of Cassation Ghassan Oueidat ordered the release of all 17 suspects detained in connection with the deadly 2020 Beirut port blast.

Oueidat has also issued charges against Tarek Bitar, the judge leading the port blast investigation.

'We only see Pharisees'

"We only see Pharisees [self-righteous or hypocritical people] in charge, who pretend to apply the laws while they twist them for their own interests," said Bishop Elias Audi, Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Beirut, during Sunday mass.

"In reality, they are subjugating all of the people," Audi added.

“We must put an end to the conflict between those who want to strictly apply the constitution and those who interpret it in their interest,” he said.

He also called for "the trial of any negligent person, criminal or fugitive, by the judiciary.”

BEIRUT — Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai said during his Sunday homily that “some [political figures] talk about the necessity of dialogue in order to reach a consensual candidate [for the presidency], while they cling to their candidate and want to impose [that candidate] on others.” Meanwhile, Hezbollah central council member Nabil Kaouk said on Sunday that when it comes to successfully...