Maronite Patriarch Bechara Al-Rahi addressed the MPs, stating: "You have two respectable Maronite candidates for the presidency, so enter the parliament and elect one of them as president, according to the constitution which states in its preamble that 'Lebanon is a democratic parliamentary republic.' If neither is elected after at least three consecutive rounds, then out of respect for their dignity, you may discuss finding a third candidate." He added, "Enough wasting time while institutions fall one after another awaiting inspiration from abroad like minors."
During his presiding over the divine liturgy in Barqaša, Al-Rahi questioned: "Why, officials, are you fabricating dilemmas and seeking to resolve them in violation of the constitution? Why do you consider your conflicts and constitutional violations as 'necessities'? You render the parliament, which is not functioning, into a legislative body, whereas it is merely an electoral body since the beginning of the presidential vacancy. You grant the caretaker government the authority of the president regarding reserved appointments, and if you do not act, the institutions collapse as if they were made of cardboard. Thus, you create a constitutional dispute that adds to the existing political division."
Al-Rahi continued: "Lebanon is suffering. O gentlemen of the parliament and the government, the primary and ultimate necessity, the key to solving all your dilemmas, is the election of a president. If you do not do this, you commit the crime of high treason against the state and the people, and treason is the mother of all crimes." Regarding the incident in Qornet El Sawda, he stated: "We are committed to the judiciary’s decision, and the non-implementation of administrative and judicial decisions results from known political interventions."
