During his Sunday sermon, Patriarch Béchara Rai criticized "those who are concerned with preventing the formation of the government" and are demanding "disgraceful quotas that have nothing to do with the National Pact and the Constitution."

According to the National Pact, an unwritten 1943 agreement between the main entities composing the Lebanese people, namely the Shiites, Maronites, Sunnis and Druze, the distribution of responsibility posts must be apportioned on well-defined bases between Muslims and Christians. It is according to this agreement that the allocation of parliamentary seats, the formation of the government or the appointment of officials is conducted.

"How can we address our national needs with these narrow demands for disgraceful quotas that have nothing to do with the Pact or the Constitution, but are contrary to them?" stated the head of the Maronite Church in an implied reference to the Hezbollah-Amal alliance, which notably demands the Finance Ministry portfolio in the government to be formed by Nawaf Salam.

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Rai condemned the "anarchy" reigning "within the power and the government" because, according to him, the Taif Agreement, which ended the civil war, was never truly applied.

"This document not having been applied at the time in its letter and spirit, political life began to wither and regress and continues to do so to this day. There is no respect for the Constitution, but rather serial violations," he said, calling for a return to the logic of President Joseph Aoun's inaugural speech, elected on Jan. 9.

Hezbollah and 'political interests'

Additionally, during a ceremony for Hezbollah "martyrs" in Baalbeck on Sunday, Hezbollah MP Hussein Hajj Hassan also addressed the formation of the government.

"Lebanon can only be governed by agreement and the formula of the National Pact," he stated. 'Representation in the government must reflect coexistence, the National Pact and the Constitution ... but also protect the political interests present in the country," while his camp demands several portfolios, notably the Finance Ministry.

"Does anyone have a real political interest in the government's term starting with crises? No one in Lebanon has such an interest," he said.

Meanwhile, the Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Beirut, Elias Audi, stated during his sermon, "Isn't it time to have a homeland that brings us all together, that is not torn apart by the disagreements of the zaims (sectarian leaders) and those who consider themselves the chiefs?"

The religious dignitary wished for a Lebanese state that is "strong, just, and imposes its authority on all" citizens.

"Hesitations, patchwork, and half-solutions do not build a state," he said, calling for a return to the Constitution and for seeking statesmen who "do not submit to any pressure, provocation, or threat."

In a statement released on Sunday, the Lebanese Forces also spoke on the subject and denied the "ideas conveyed" claiming that Samir Geagea's party desired a "quota" or a "specific portfolio," however, they stated: "If it was understandable in the previous period to prevent the LF from being present in the government and from gaining specific portfolios for fear of its sovereign and reformist role, it is not at all understandable to continue this ban in this new phase, which must be sovereign and reformist par excellence?"

The party “totally rejects this persistent logic of exclusion,” believing that it “has given Lebanon what no other party or group has given, particularly over the last 20 years.”

"Envoys of the moumanaa (the Hezbollah and its allies' in Lebanon) continue to interfere and prevent the LF from accessing the government," the statement said.

The party stated it was “always ready to help the new mandate and the new government, but first in its rightful place. Secondly, with its political weight, no more and no less. Thirdly, in a government that responds to the aspirations of the Lebanese: That is truly new and not old, foundational and not transitory, that turns the page on illegal arms and opens that of reforms, the fight against corruption and justice against those who have stolen savers' money.”