Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi discussed at Bkirki on Thursday with the ambassadors to Lebanon of the five permanent United Nations Security Council members local and regional developments.
Al-Rahi demanded the international community to facilitate the election of a new head of state, expressing support to the ongoing dialogue between the rival parties to bridge the gap.
He considered the presidential crisis a priority.
The meeting was held in presence of papal ambassador to Lebanon Gabriele Caccia, U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Sigrid Kaag and European Union Ambassador to Lebanon Angelina Eichhorst.
Kaag told reporters after the meeting that western powers “share with al-Rahi his concerns about the protracted vacancy.”
She pointed out that the eleven-month stalemate in the election of a president is “undermining Lebanon's ability to address the security, economic and social challenges it faces and has jeopardized the normal functioning of Lebanese institutions.”