by aawsat.com — Lebanon’s top Christian cleric has reiterated demands for politicians to speed up the formation of an all-party government and elect a new president to pull the country out of rock bottom. “The government shall be inclusive, inspire confidence through its national approach, and seriously address some outstanding issues,” Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Boutros al-Rahi said at a sermon in Bkerke on Sunday. He cited article 73 of the constitution, which stipulates electing a new president one month at least and two months at most before the term limit of the current president ends. Rahi expressed regret at Lebanon’s current “isolation” from the Arab world after being a “partner in the progress of societies.” “Unfortunately, Lebanon is affected more than other countries with the regional developments because many of its parties have chosen to take sides,” Rahi lamented.

He expressed regret that all regional countries are moving ahead and seeking to overcome obstacles, while Lebanon is immersed in problems and crises. Rahi further stressed that the only way for Lebanon to achieve stability and growth is by being neutral to regional developments. He pledged to help all relevant parties wishing to overcome obstacles, to form a new government, and elect a president to save the country, restore its sovereignty, and put it back on the right track. He said that delay in government formation is an exception in all world countries but has become a norm in Lebanon. “We are not willing to surrender to fate, accept the logic of living in permanent crises, nor submit to the status quo,” Rahi stressed. He affirmed that he will not spare any internal, Arab and international effort to save Lebanon. He noted that waiting only means wasting opportunities and losing the country.