President

Al-Rai Urges Election of Unifying Lebanese President

Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai called on Lebanese MPs to elect a president who commands the trust of the Lebanese people and the support of international allies. During the Epiphany celebration on Monday, Patriarch al-Rai delivered his sermon and emphasized the need for a leader to meet the country’s challenges and promote unity and peaceful ...

In Pursuit of a President Defying the Detrimental Mini-State

The Iranian mullahs' camp and their local allies have adopted excessive tactics of intimidation, threats and coercive politics. They revel in flaunting their defiance, entrenched in denial, loudly proclaiming that the "resistance" remains intact, "strong" and poised for a swift revival. While listening to their rhetoric and observing the arrogance ...

Electing a President vs. Agreeing on One!

In the forthcoming session, Lebanon does not need to elect a president but rather to agree on one. This distinction is significant and critical, especially given the current circumstances. Electing a president could have been achieved before former President Michel Aoun left office, during successive and uninterrupted parliamentary sessions that ...

Rai Cautions Against Postponing Presidential Election

In a sermon given on the International Day of Peace on Wednesday, Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai called for vigilance, pointing out that “the presidential election scheduled for January 9 must take place.” He warned against postponing the session, indicating that such a maneuver would risk compromising the confidence of the Lebanese and the ...

Intersecting Factors Obstruct Presidential Election Again: From Ceasefire to Iran’s Plan

Although the Lebanese presidential election is – or should be – a purely internal matter, observers of the issue agree that it has become organically linked to changes in the region. These include everything from Israel’s war on Hezbollah and its repercussions to the peaceful coup in Syria. While it is true that Iran – through its arm in ...

Ongoing Negotiations Ahead of the January 9 Presidential Election

As of today, it appears unlikely that the parliamentary session scheduled for January 9 will result in the election of a new president. However, the days leading up to this session are expected to see intense political activity, with hopes remaining high for a breakthrough—whether through consensus or by securing the necessary 65 votes. Many ...

Rai Stresses the Importance of Upholding the Lebanese Constitution

Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai emphasized on Wednesday the importance of the Lebanese Constitution, calling it “the backbone of Lebanon” and cautioning that “any deviation from its provisions contributes to the country’s paralysis.” Patriarch Rai welcomed to Bkerke a delegation from the Saydet al-Jabal Gathering, led by former MP Fares ...

Patriarch Rai Says Lebanon Will Elect a President in the New Year

Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai expressed optimism on Tuesday about resolving Lebanon’s two-year presidential vacuum.  During a meeting with presidential candidate and MP Neemat Frem in Bkerke, the Patriarch stated, “We are all looking forward to January 9, and we have no doubt that a president will be elected in the new year, 2025, which His ...

Romania's Top Court Scraps Presidential Election

Romania's constitutional court announced on Friday that it had annulled the presidential election following allegations of Russian interference, effectively cancelling the second-round run-off that had been due to take place this weekend. Romanian authorities had cried foul after far-right outsider Calin Georgescu topped the first round of ...

Rai: Whoever Negotiates the Ceasefire Is Illegitimate in the Absence of a President

Maronite patriarch Bechara Rai strongly condemned the fact that the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel is being negotiated in the absence of a President of the Republic, a position at the head of the State which has been vacant since October 31, 2022. He stated that this “renders the talks illegitimate,” as it is an integral part of the ...

All Eyes on the White House

Many Lebanese are pinning their hopes on the United States presidential election to bring clarity to the ongoing war in Lebanon and broader regional tensions from Gaza to Iran. While there is some truth to this perspective, the tendency among Lebanese to overanalyze and speculate often outpaces the reality on the ground. Historically, the US has ...

Lebanese Officials Urge Swift Presidential Election

Maronite Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rai received MPs Marwan Hamadeh and Raji al-Saad in Bkerke on Monday. The parliamentarians were sent as envoys by former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Joumblatt to emphasize the need for swift presidential elections. "We stressed the urgent need to stop the war and to separate the Gaza front ...