Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi stressed on Thursday the necessity to implement peace and dialogue, saying that the country is facing an immense challenge that requires the unity of the Lebanese. “We should fortify the coexistence culture that should include mutual respect and knowledge,” al-Rahi said during the opening of the Antiochian Conference.

The Patriarch called on people to denounce the “extremism phenomena” and the “secular atheism.” He stressed the importance of coexistence and unity that would be only guaranteed by a “consensual president.” “A new head of state should be elected today,” al-Rahi said, denouncing the delay imposed by some parliamentary blocs that he held responsible for impeding the polls. [Link]