Maronite Patriarch meets Hezbollah leaders in bid to break Lebanon's political deadlock

September 10, 2015

Maronite Catholic Patriarch Bechara Boutros Rai met on September 9 with a delegation of leaders of the Hezbollah movement, to discuss the continuing political impasse in Lebanon.

The Maronite leader “stressed the urgent need to get out of the political paralysis that since May 2014 has not allowed the election of a new president,” the Fides news service reports. The Patriarch said that the political impasse is exacerbating tensions in the country, and reflects an institutional failure on the part of leaders.

Lebanon’s political tradition, devised to foster inter-religious cooperation, calls for the election of a Maronite as president. The Hezbollah movement reportedly indicated that General Michel Aoun would be acceptable to the Shiite bloc. 

 

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Further information:

• Lebanese crisis, a delegation of Hezbollah meets with Maronite Patriarch (Fides)