Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi criticized the country's rival leaders for paralyzing state institutions and reiterated his call for Christians to play a pivotal role in resolving the country's political crisis.

In remarks at Rafik Hariri International Airport before heading to Rome, al-Rahi said: “We should not paralyze the state just because we have joined regional-international axes.”

“Christians have played a cultural and social role throughout history,” he said, urging them “not to distance themselves and to play a conciliatory role because we need an exit to the political crisis.”

Lebanon still lacks a new government and a new electoral draft-law, and next year's presidential elections are looming amid a boycott of parliamentary sessions. [Link]