Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi called on officials on Sunday to resume the national dialogue and form a government capable of holding the parliamentary elections on time and maintaining the country's security. “Officials should realized the critical conditions the country is passing through after the cabinet resigned ,” al-Rahi said during a Palm Sunday mass at Bkirki.

Prime Minister Najib Miqati announced his resignation on Friday night in light of the cabinet's failure to approve the decisions to form of an authority to oversee the parliamentary elections and extend the term of Internal Security Forces chief Ashraf Rifi.

Reactions to Miqati's step were mixed with some sides calling for the formation of a salvation government and others condemning his step at such a critical time in the region and ahead of the parliamentary elections, which are scheduled for June 9. [Link]