The Maronite bishops council urged on Wednesday officials to set Lebanon’s interests as a priority above all else, “completely rejecting” attempts to drag the country towards “a new war through fueling sectarian tensions.” It said in a statement after its monthly meeting: “Officials must comply with President Michel Suleiman’s call to resume the national dialogue without preconditions.”

Lebanon is in need of all of its citizens who must take part in determining their country’s future without placing one faction’s interests above the other, they remarked. To this end they must commit to the principle of mutual coexistence in order to resolve disputes, added the bishops after their meeting headed by Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi. [Link]