By Maroun Khoury, Daily Star, BKIRKI: Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir said Thursday that the protests currently taking place in Lebanon can very easily engender chaos. Speaking during a meeting with a delegation of residents from the Bekaa regions of Baalbek and Deir al-Ahmar, Sfeir said that "protests like these are unfortunately allowed in Lebanon and if we look around us, we can see none of the countries allow their citizens to do what the Lebanese are doing these days."

"Protests sometimes turn into mayhem, which we do not want," he added. The prelate said he hoped "Lebanon recovers its prosperity, security and peace."  The prelate also met with Reform and Change bloc MP Ibrahim Kenaan, who discussed with him the latest developments in the country.  "The current crisis needs a solution rather than political disputes," Kenaan said. "The opposition, our parliamentary bloc and the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) stress the need to promote partnership and balance in the country through a true participation in authority," he added. The FPM member said that "this will be the starting point to a solution [to the current political deadlock]."

Praising the "declaration of principles" issued by the Council of Maronite Bishops earlier in the month, Kenaan said that "we should shift from an oral support for the declaration to a practical one." "All the Lebanese, especially the Christians, should put that declaration into effect," he said. Headed by Sfeir, the council issued a conciliatory statement earlier in December in which it provided for the divided Lebanese groups to follow to end the political crisis.

The bishops’ declaration included the implementation of "a code of honor" that would apply to all parties, the creation of an international tribunal to try former Premier Rafik Hariri’s assassins, a new electoral law, and the formation of a "reconciliation" government that would hold early presidential elections.

Later in the day, Sfeir met with Education Minister Khaled Qabbani.

After the meeting, Qabbani said "the patriarch’s voice is the voice of love and conscience, which unites all the Lebanese."

Sfeir also met with Future Movement MP Hadi Hobeish.

"We support all the political stands taken up by Sfeir," Hobeish said.

Several high-profile figures continued to flock to Bkirki on the occasion of Christmas. Internal Security Forces chief Major General Ashraf Rifi and Reform and Change bloc MP Ghassan Mokheiber held separate meetings with Sfeir. No comments were released after the meeting.

Addressing popular delegations that also came to Bkirki from several Lebanese regions to extend their greetings, Sfeir said he hoped the coming days would bring "security and stability to this country."

"Lebanon cannot bear new crises in addition to the one it is living in," Sfeir said. "Every Lebanese has a role to play in the construction of the country."

Meanwhile, Future Movement MP Atef Majdalani said Thursday he expected "political storms" to continue, urging the Lebanese to avoid resorting to the streets and to "return home."

"Will the current crisis continue to plague the country, especially with Hizbullah and its allies sticking to their stubbornness and demands?" Majdalani asked Voice of Lebanon radio.

Stressing that the parliamentary majority has already asked the opposition to hold discussions about its demands, Majdalani said that "our hand is extended [to any initiative]."