Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi has suggested to bring together Lebanon's top Christian political leaders in Rome but his proposal was rejected, An Nahar newspaper reported on Thursday. Al-Rahi wanted to put the officials under “moral pressure to convince them to agree on a candidate for the presidency and agree on holding the elections,” the daily said.

But his proposal to hold a meeting at the Vatican was met with large-scale rejection from politicians and candidates for several reasons, it added. The Kuwaiti newspaper al-Anbaa said Sunday that Bkirki will seek during a meeting for top Christian figures to persuade them to assume their responsibilities and agree on the election of the “best candidate.” Lebanon has been without a head of state since May 25. President Michel Suleiman's six-year tenure ended amid parliament's failure to find a successor over differences on a compromise candidate. The main rivalry lies between Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea, and Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun, who hasn't yet officially announced his candidacy. [Link]