The Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Beirut, Elias Audi. (Credit: NNA)
BEIRUT — The Greek Orthodox metropolitan of Beirut, Elias Audi, called on Sunday for the election of a president as soon as possible through "democratic means," according to the state-run National News Agency (NNA).
Lebanon has been without a president since October 2022 when former president Michel Aoun's term ended.
"The Lebanese people in general, Christians and responsible leaders in particular, must move away from quarrels, rise above selfishness and self-interest, and take immediate action to save the country by taking beneficial initiatives that only serve Lebanon," he said.
"They have a great national responsibility and are required to elect a president as soon as possible, through democratic means and in accordance with the constitution, to carry Lebanon's cause and voice to the world, negotiate on its behalf, and ward off dangers."
According to NNA, Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai also talked on Sunday, repeating a letter written by Pope Francis on the one-year anniversary of Oct. 7, the day when the war between Hamas and Israel started in Gaza.
The letter stressed that war is a "defeat, that weapons do not build the future but destroy it, and that violence will never bring peace."
