Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi criticized on Sunday the political authorities in Lebanon for “neglecting their duties” and their attempts to create political vacuum in the country.

He said during his Sunday sermon: “Officials should prepare conditions to elect a new president within the constitutional deadline.”

He also demanded that a new and fair electoral law be approved in order to stage the parliamentary elections “as soon as possible.”

The elections were supposed to be held in June earlier this year but they were postponed after the political rivals failed to agree on a new electoral law.

The presidential election is set for 2014. [Link]