Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Mar Beshara Boutros Rahi, on Monday welcomed at the Patriarchal Palace in Bkerke Prime Minister Najib Mikati, with whom he discussed current situation and the most recent developments.

After the visit, the PM said that he had sensed His Beatitude’s keenness to have a president elected as soon as possible. 

“His Eminence knows, and we are well aware that the matter is not within the government’s jurisdiction; it is rather the responsibility of the House of Parliament,” Mikati said about the presidential election, adding the the government has no power other than the running the country's affairs and ensuring the comfort of citizen. 

“From this standpoint, I explained to His Eminence that the last cabinet session was constitutional and void of sectarian considerations,” affirmed Mikati, adding that there was a full representation of all sects in the Council of Ministers’ last session. 

“We are keen on following up on the citizens' affairs and on dealing with them,” the PM added, noting that has made an agreement with Rahi to hold a consultation session ministers soon in a bid to reach an understanding on the steps that will be taken in the next stage.