Christian MPs meet in Harissa with Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai on April 5, 2023. (Courtesy of: Maronite Patriarchate)
BEIRUT — Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai on Wednesday urged Christian members of Parliament to "facilitate" electing a president as Lebanon enters its sixth month with no head of state.
Former president Michel Aoun's six-year mandate ended on Oct. 31, 2022. In the meantime, Rai has positioned himself at the center of certain efforts to urge a new president, who in Lebanon is traditionally a member of the Maronite community.
Rai convened more than 50 Christian MPs for a "day of prayer" Wednesday in Harissa, north of Beirut, as various political parties remain divided over who to put forth as a candidate.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah and the Amal Movement recently endorsed Marada Movement leader Sleiman Frangieh. However, Frangieh faces roadblocks from the two major Christian parties, the Lebanese Forces (LF) and the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM).
"How did you help people move forward? What impact have you left on society? What real bonds have you created? What positive vibes have you given off? How much peace did you create? How productive have you been in the responsibilities you have been given?" Rai said as part of a homily Wednesday, addressing the MPs.
"What have you done to facilitate the election of a president and reactivate the institutions of the state after five months of vacancy?" he added.
Of the total 64 Christian MPs, 53 attended the Wednesday meeting, according to the state-run National News Agency. They included MPs from the LF, FPM, Kataeb, Tashnag, Marada and the Renewal bloc.
Deputy Parliament Speaker, Elias Bou Saab, however, reportedly boycotted the meeting, along with Beirut Forces of Change MPs Cynthia Zarazir and Paula Yacoubian.
Parliament has so far failed to elect a new president, despite having held 11 electoral sessions for the purpose.
While Hezbollah and Amal have announced their support for Frangieh, who is close to the Syrian regime, the Christian MPs remain deeply divided.
In his most recent speech, FPM leader Gebran Bassil tried to make the presidential election a Maronite issue, arguing that his party and that of his rival, LF leader Samir Geagea, must come to an agreement in order to block the way to Frangieh.
Geagea has rejected that overture, instead reiterating his support for opposition candidate Michel Moawad. But Moawad has failed to obtain the requisite number of votes so far in Parliament's electoral sessions.
Rai has recently called for another approach, and for a president to be elected from a broad political agreement, thus blocking both Frangieh and Moawad from ascending to Baabda.
At the same time, diplomatic efforts have ramped up in recent weeks to break the deadlock
A French diplomatic source told L'Orient-Le Jour in recent days that Paris has proposed that the presidency go to Frangieh while the post of prime minister go to a figure favored by Saudi Arabia — however, Riyadh is reportedly opposed to this formula.
