Lebanon’s Rahi, Audeh Slam Politicians for Failing to Elect New President

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi during Palm Sunday mass. (Markazia)
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi during Palm Sunday mass. (Markazia)
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Lebanon’s Rahi, Audeh Slam Politicians for Failing to Elect New President

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi during Palm Sunday mass. (Markazia)
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi during Palm Sunday mass. (Markazia)

Lebanon’s Christian religious leaders slammed on Sunday politicians for failing to elect a new president, amid a vacuum that has continued for five months and despite recent attempts to revive efforts to agree on a candidate.

During the Palm Sunday mass, Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi called on politicians to “destroy the sin of corruption, self-interest and egoism” and to elect a president.

He said the best politicians are those who are committed to telling the truth and realizing that the power entrusted to them is for service.

The true politician is a servant, and when he does not perform his duty, then he is a bad politician, the patriarch stressed.

Rahi said the politicians, especially deputies, “must know that the guarantee of a just policy is the election of a president who possesses these characteristics who can set straight state institutions.”

He announced that the Patriarchate is preparing for a spiritual retreat for Christian MPs in Harissa on April 5 when “they will pray for Lebanon and its salvation from its political, living, economic and financial crises.”

Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Beirut Elias Audeh said during his Sunday sermon that Lebanon is “full of leaders, politicians, deputies, and rulers who only care about their interests, and work only according to their affiliations.”

“They are not ashamed of what they have brought the country to,” he added.

“Institutions are blocked, civil servants are on strike, billions of liras are wasted and they are begging for help. How can they live without conscience and sleep without worry?” he said.

He stressed that Lebanon needs real leaders.

“We need people who think and have a vision of a cause to defend, not politicians who abuse power and the people,” Audeh added.

Lebanon has been without a president since Michel Aoun's term ended on Oct. 31. MPs have not been able to elect a successor even though 11 parliamentary electoral sessions have been held to agree on a candidate.

According to the Lebanese constitution, the 128-member legislature requires a majority of two-thirds (85) to elect a president in the first round, and then in the second round, a candidate can be elected by a simple majority of 65 lawmakers.

During the 11 parliamentary sessions, Hezbollah, Amal and Free Patriotic Movement lawmakers quit the meeting before the second round of voting, leading to a loss of quorum.

Meanwhile, the head of Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc, MP Mohammed Raad, called Sunday on all political forces to prioritize the national interest in order to save the country.

He stressed the need to elect a president without waiting for foreign orders.

“We are not aspiring to take power in this country, but we are keen to see an authority capable of meeting the aspirations of the people. We refuse unilateral decisions in managing people's affairs,” Raad said.

The deputy said Hezbollah is open to dialogue.



Barrack Says Hezbollah Involvement in Iran-Israel War Would Be 'Very Bad Decision'

A handout photo released by the Lebanese Presidency press office on June 19, 2025 shows Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun (R) welcoming US negotiator Thomas Barrack at the presidential palace of Baabda east of Beirut. (Photo by Lebanese Presidency / AFP)
A handout photo released by the Lebanese Presidency press office on June 19, 2025 shows Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun (R) welcoming US negotiator Thomas Barrack at the presidential palace of Baabda east of Beirut. (Photo by Lebanese Presidency / AFP)
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Barrack Says Hezbollah Involvement in Iran-Israel War Would Be 'Very Bad Decision'

A handout photo released by the Lebanese Presidency press office on June 19, 2025 shows Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun (R) welcoming US negotiator Thomas Barrack at the presidential palace of Baabda east of Beirut. (Photo by Lebanese Presidency / AFP)
A handout photo released by the Lebanese Presidency press office on June 19, 2025 shows Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun (R) welcoming US negotiator Thomas Barrack at the presidential palace of Baabda east of Beirut. (Photo by Lebanese Presidency / AFP)

The US special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack on Thursday warned Hezbollah against getting involved in the war between its main backer Iran and Israel.

"I can say on behalf of President (Donald) Trump... that would be a very, very, very bad decision," Barrack said, responding to a question on what the US position would be on any involvement by Hezbollah in the war.

Barrack met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at Baabda Palace and Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain el-Tineh.

Hezbollah has condemned Israel's strikes on Iran and expressed full solidarity with its leadership.

Hezbollah on Thursday expressed support for Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei following threats by Israeli leaders that he could be killed.

In a statement, Hezbollah said that “threats to assassinate (Khamenei) are foolish and reckless, and will have disastrous consequences.”

But the group has stopped short of making explicit threats to intervene.

Israel's defense minister said Thursday that Khamenei "can no longer be allowed to exist" after an Israeli hospital was hit during an Iranian missile attack.

"Khamenei openly declares that he wants Israel destroyed -- he personally gives the order to fire on hospitals. He considers the destruction of the state of Israel to be a goal," Israel Katz told journalists in Holon near Tel Aviv. "Such a man can no longer be allowed to exist."

Killing Khamenei would "end the conflict" between Israel and Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said.