عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

Lebanon: Rai Accuses Officials of Creating Post-Aoun Political 'Vacuum'

Lebanese Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rai meets with Lebanon's President Michel Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon July 15, 2020. Dalati Nohra/Handout via REUTERS
Lebanese Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rai meets with Lebanon's President Michel Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon July 15, 2020. Dalati Nohra/Handout via REUTERS
TT
TT

Lebanon: Rai Accuses Officials of Creating Post-Aoun Political 'Vacuum'

Lebanese Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rai meets with Lebanon's President Michel Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon July 15, 2020. Dalati Nohra/Handout via REUTERS
Lebanese Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rai meets with Lebanon's President Michel Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon July 15, 2020. Dalati Nohra/Handout via REUTERS

Maronite Patriach Beshara al-Rai accused the Lebanese authorities of creating a political vacuum by leaving the presidency unfilled with outgoing president Michel Aoun's term ending on Monday.

Al-Rai said in his Sunday sermon that officials had "left this supreme and essential presidency in a vacuum, either deliberately, or out of stupidity or selfishness."

He described the presidency as a “cornerstone” for the unity of the state.

The “presidential vacuum in Lebanon is not a fate but rather a conspiracy,” al-Rai cautioned.

Aoun left the presidential palace in Baabda on Sunday, a day ahead of the official end of his six-year term but without a successor.

Aoun leaves the fragile country in an unprecedented situation where the presidency is vacant at the same time as the cabinet operates in a caretaker capacity.

Most Viewed

 
 
Arab World

UN Security Council Calls for Syrian-led Political Process

17 December 2024, US, New York: A view of the Security Council during a meeting. Photo: Bianca Otero/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
17 December 2024, US, New York: A view of the Security Council during a meeting. Photo: Bianca Otero/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
TT
TT

UN Security Council Calls for Syrian-led Political Process

17 December 2024, US, New York: A view of the Security Council during a meeting. Photo: Bianca Otero/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
17 December 2024, US, New York: A view of the Security Council during a meeting. Photo: Bianca Otero/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

The UN Security Council has issued its first statement on Syria following the overthrow of President Bashar Assad's government, calling for a Syrian-led political process leading to elections, and urging all nations to respect the country’s sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity.

The council said Syrians should “peacefully, independently and democratically determine their own futures” based on key principles in a 2015 council resolution that sets out a roadmap to peace calling for a new constitution and UN-monitored elections. It said the process should be facilitated by the United Nations and backed efforts being taken by UN envoy Geir Pedersen.

The statement released Tuesday night makes no mention of the Dec. 8 ouster of Assad by opposition group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

The Security Council reiterated support for the UN peacekeeping force known as UNDOF monitoring the Israel-Syria border following the 1973 Mideast war. It stressed the obligation of all parties to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement that established a demilitarized buffer zone between the countries to abide by its terms and reduce tensions.

The council statement, approved by all 15 members, underscored the importance of combatting terrorism in Syria and preventing ISIS from re-establishing its stronghold in the country.

The Security Council also reiterated Syria’s obligation to respect human rights and international humanitarian law. This includes the right to seek justice and allow and facilitate humanitarian access to millions in need, the statement said.