Rai Says Lebanon’s Constitution Does Not Mention Cabinet Obstruction

Lebanese Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rai speaks after meeting with Lebanon's President Michel Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon April 26, 2021. Dalati NohraHandout via REUTERS
Lebanese Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rai speaks after meeting with Lebanon's President Michel Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon April 26, 2021. Dalati NohraHandout via REUTERS
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Rai Says Lebanon’s Constitution Does Not Mention Cabinet Obstruction

Lebanese Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rai speaks after meeting with Lebanon's President Michel Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon April 26, 2021. Dalati NohraHandout via REUTERS
Lebanese Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rai speaks after meeting with Lebanon's President Michel Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon April 26, 2021. Dalati NohraHandout via REUTERS

Calls to speed up the formation of a government to stop Lebanon’s economic and social collapse have gone unabated as sources close to Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri talked about a “decisive week” on whether to maintain his mission or step down.

“Those concerned with forming the government refrain from carrying out their constitutional and national duties … Despite the total collapse, they continue to exchange intentionally fabricated conditions to delay the formation of the government,” Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai said on Sunday.

An article in the constitution that the PM-designate shall sign with the president the decree of the government formation, does not mean putting on hold cabinet lineups, he said, adding that the designation cannot last forever.

The Patriarch’s remarks came in parallel with comments made by sources close to Hariri, who noted that the PM-designate would “make his decision in terms of maintaining or abandoning his mission.”

Deputy leader of al-Mustaqbal movement Mustafa Alloush said that Hariri would make last-ditch efforts to form a new government before deciding on stepping aside.

According to Alloush, the cabinet stalemate was caused by the president’s team.



Gaza Rescuers Say 72 Killed by Israeli Fire

Smoke billows after an Israeli strike in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on June 19, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
Smoke billows after an Israeli strike in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on June 19, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
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Gaza Rescuers Say 72 Killed by Israeli Fire

Smoke billows after an Israeli strike in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on June 19, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
Smoke billows after an Israeli strike in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on June 19, 2025. (Photo by AFP)

Gaza's civil defense agency said Israeli fire killed at least 72 people in the Palestinian territory on Thursday, including 21 who had gathered to receive aid in central and southern Gaza.

Updating an earlier figure, civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP the death toll had risen to 72, "due to the ongoing Israeli bombardment on the Gaza Strip since dawn today -- 21 of them were waiting for aid.”

The Israeli army told AFP that troops had fired "warning shots" at "suspects" approaching them in the Netzarim area where the civil defense agency said 15 people were killed waiting for aid, but that it was "not aware of any injured individuals.”