Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi lauded on Thursday the exerted efforts to launch dialogue between the political arch-foes to break the ice and reduce tension in Lebanon.
“Dialogue between rival parties would end the ongoing dilemmas in the country,” al-Rahi said in his New Year’s Day sermon at Bkirki.
The patriarch expressed hope that the exerted endeavors would lead to the election of a new head of state.
The presidential post has been vacant since president Michel Suleiman's term ended on May 25. Lawmakers failed to secure the needed quorum for electing a new president despite holding 16 voting sessions, amid a boycott by the MPs of Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun and Hizbullah.
“Peace will not flourish between people as long as there are sides that are distorting the truth and violating justice and practicing oppression,” al-Rahi stressed.
He noted that the state has to fully carry out its duties towards its citizens.