Maronite Patriarch Bechara Raï affirms that "there is no legitimacy for any authority that contradicts coexistence, and the current violation of the constitution aims to exclude the only Maronite Christian president in this region." Raï asks, "What legitimacy does the current parliament have, which has lost its legislative powers, and what legitimacy does the cabinet have, which has lost its appointment powers, matters that are strictly within the president's jurisdiction?"
Mikati, for his part, stated at the beginning of the government session today, Tuesday: "I confirm on my behalf and on behalf of the Cabinet the necessity of expediting the completion of the constitutional institutions. The primary and essential responsibility in this matter remains ours as Lebanese, and internal disputes should not hinder the priority of working to complete the constitutional institutions by electing a new president for Lebanon."
The patriarch's remarks are not well received by some ministers, who argue that the country's interest supersedes sectarian interests.
