Sfeir: The ongoing postponement of the elections is abnormal
Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir said he hopes that a president will be elected on May 13, “because this is not the first time the presidential-election session has been postponed. It has happened 19 times, and it is not normal.”
“All MPs are responsible for obstructing the presidential-election sessions,” Sfeir told the BBC Arabic channel.
“MPs are responsible for the election of the president. Anyone abstaining from doing this is responsible for obstructing it,” he added, saying he expects deputies to go to parliament on May 13 for the session.
Commenting on Speaker Nabih Berri’s call for dialogue, Sfeir said, “We have tried an expanded dialogue inside and outside the parliament, and no results were reached. It should have been more serious, and discussions must take place in the parliament.”
He added that he is preparing for his visit to the US in the coming days. “I will meet with US President George Bush if he is in the country and with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.”
When asked what he will talk about with US officials, Sfeir said, “they know the situation in Lebanon well. All we want is peace and to know if they can help in this regard. Their assistance will be welcomed.”