Beirut |
October 9, 2007
Bkirki Steps In, Seeking to Prevent 'Marginalization' of Christians
Beirut - October 9, 2007
Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir has stepped in yet again in an effort to prevent what was said to be "marginalization" of Christians and in hopes to reach consensus on a presidential candidate.
The daily An Nahar on Tuesday said Sfeir has authorized Bishop Samir Mazloum to prepare for a Maronite meeting ahead of the Oct. 23 session to elect a new president for Lebanon.
It said Bkirki's initiative, which is reportedly backed by the Vatican, would be the "last decisive chance" to try to reconcile disputes over the next president.
The initiative was originally designed to bring the warring Christian leaders together in one central meeting to be held in Bkirki on Thursday, Oct. 11.
The initiative, however, settled for separate talks to be held on Thursday, Oct. 11 and Friday Oct. 12 that would pave the way for a joint meeting between pro- and anti-government Maronite leaders.
An Nahar said the decision to hold separate meetings came after opposition Christian leaders refused to meet face-to-face with their rivals from the ruling majority before the way is paved for such a conference.
In turn, An Nahar said, Christians from the March 14 ruling coalition rejected meeting with their opponents before a 10-month-old sit-in erected by the Hizbullah-led opposition in downtown Beirut was dismantled.
An Nahar said Thursday's meeting would comprise representative from the opposition and March 8 Forces, while the Friday gathering would involve March 14 delegates.
Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir has stepped in yet again in an effort to prevent what was said to be "marginalization" of Christians and in hopes to reach consensus on a presidential candidate.
The daily An Nahar on Tuesday said Sfeir has authorized Bishop Samir Mazloum to prepare for a Maronite meeting ahead of the Oct. 23 session to elect a new president for Lebanon.
It said Bkirki's initiative, which is reportedly backed by the Vatican, would be the "last decisive chance" to try to reconcile disputes over the next president.
The initiative was originally designed to bring the warring Christian leaders together in one central meeting to be held in Bkirki on Thursday, Oct. 11.
The initiative, however, settled for separate talks to be held on Thursday, Oct. 11 and Friday Oct. 12 that would pave the way for a joint meeting between pro- and anti-government Maronite leaders.
An Nahar said the decision to hold separate meetings came after opposition Christian leaders refused to meet face-to-face with their rivals from the ruling majority before the way is paved for such a conference.
In turn, An Nahar said, Christians from the March 14 ruling coalition rejected meeting with their opponents before a 10-month-old sit-in erected by the Hizbullah-led opposition in downtown Beirut was dismantled.
An Nahar said Thursday's meeting would comprise representative from the opposition and March 8 Forces, while the Friday gathering would involve March 14 delegates.
