Syriac Maronite Patriarch al-Rai calls again for presidential election, criticizes marginalization of Maronite role in Lebanon

BETH KERKE, Lebanon — During a ceremony for the nomination of Patriarch Estephan al-Duwaihy in Beht Kerke (Bkerke), Lebanon, Syriac Maronite Patriarch Mor Bechara Boutros al-Rai called on the Lebanese people to reflect on the state of their country and its institutions. He emphasized that there is no valid reason for Lebanon’s prolonged presidential vacancy.

Patriarch al-Rai questioned the lack of an electoral session for over a year, asserting that the President of the Republic is the sole authority to negotiate on behalf of Lebanon, not the Speaker of Parliament or the Prime Minister. He highlighted the exclusion of Maronite Christians from the political process by preventing the election of a president, which undermines the country’s pluralistic system and weakens their role in Lebanese society.

Concluding his speech, Patriarch al-Rai stressed that Christians are an indispensable part of the state and that their marginalization poses a threat to their presence in Lebanon. He expressed regret that Christian leaders had not convened in Beth Kerke to address this critical issue.