Ahead of his departure to Rome on a one-week visit during which he is set to meet with Pope Francis, Maronite Patriarch Bechara Al Rahi called on both the March 14 and March 8 camps to forge reconciliation and "sit on the same table to salvage the country".
Al Rahi praised the roles undertaken by the Lebanese army in preserving security and by President Sleiman, labeling him as "the living martyr".
The patriarch condemned the "heinous crime" which took place in Bekaa Sunday, saying that "the compromises that follow each crime are the main reason behind the disability to address issues properly" and that the failure to "hit with an iron fist" is leading to such crimes.
Al Rahi slammed the allegiance vowed by some judges to politicians, saying it has contributed in crippling the Constitutional Council's work.
He also called for the formation of a neutral cabinet as a first step to bridge the gap between the March 8 and 14 alliances and achieve reconciliation.
Al Rahi praised the roles undertaken by the Lebanese army in preserving security and by President Sleiman, labeling him as "the living martyr".
The patriarch condemned the "heinous crime" which took place in Bekaa Sunday, saying that "the compromises that follow each crime are the main reason behind the disability to address issues properly" and that the failure to "hit with an iron fist" is leading to such crimes.
Al Rahi slammed the allegiance vowed by some judges to politicians, saying it has contributed in crippling the Constitutional Council's work.
He also called for the formation of a neutral cabinet as a first step to bridge the gap between the March 8 and 14 alliances and achieve reconciliation.
