Sfeir calls on all Lebanese to do their part to sow peace, tranquility

 

Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir said on Thursday that all Lebanese must work to sow peace and tranquility, while calling on citizens to overcome all of the difficulties they are facing. Sfeir”s comments were made during a meeting with a delegation from the diocese of Tyre, who offered Christmas greetings to the patriarch.

 

“We hope the holidays will provide the Lebanese with the happiness and the peace of mind they need,” Sfeir said.

 

Sfeir also met Thursday with Social Affairs Minister Nayla Mouawad, Lebanese Forces MP Antoine Zahra, Reform and Change bloc MP Walid Khoury and a number of other political and social figures.

 

The prelate also received a phone call from former Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

Lawmakers are set to meet on Saturday in their 11th bid to elect a new head of state, but many expect Lebanon to remain without a president until after December 31, when Parliament will be in recess.
 

The country has been without a head of state since Emile Lahoud”s term expired on November 23 and feuding political camps failed to elect on a successor to the post.

 

The government and the opposition have agreed to elect army commander General Michel Suleiman to the post, but remain at odds over the election process and the shape of a new administration. The opposition is demanding a “basket” of guarantees, including an agreement on the new government line-up ahead of any vote.