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LEBANON

Rai 'blesses every step taken towards an agreement leading to the election of a president'

Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai at mass in Bkirki on June 4, 2023. (Credit: NNA)

Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai on Sunday called on Lebanese political leaders "to exercise their faith" to allow the election of a new president, saying during his Sunday homily in Bkirki that he "blesses every step" taken towards an agreement between the different political parties.

This call came as the parties opposed to Marada leader Sleiman Frangieh's candidacy agreed on a common candidate: head of the Middle East and Central Asia department of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Jihad Azour.

The Free Patriotic Movement announced its support for Azour's candidacy on Saturday night, and other parties are expected to do so in the coming hours.

Frangieh is backed by Hezbollah and the Amal movement.

"If Lebanese leaders had invoked God, they would have elected a president of the republic two months before the end of Michel Aoun's term, in accordance with Article 73 of the Constitution," said Rai.

"If they invoke God today, eight months after the start of the presidential vacuum, and at a time when the country is facing political, economic, financial and social collapse, they should quickly agree on the election of a president," he added.

"We bless every step in this direction," continued Rai, who called for the election not to lead to the division of the country's components into "winner and loser."

Lebanon has been without a president of the republic since the end of Aoun's term in office on Oct. 31. Parliament has met 11 times since September 2022 but has not yet succeeded in electing a new head of state due to lack of political agreement.

Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai on Sunday called on Lebanese political leaders "to exercise their faith" to allow the election of a new president, saying during his Sunday homily in Bkirki that he "blesses every step" taken towards an agreement between the different political parties.This call came as the parties opposed to Marada leader Sleiman Frangieh's candidacy agreed on a common...