Yazigi Hopes for Deal Among Politicians to Form All-Embracing Cabinet

Patriarch of Antioch and All the East Youhanna X Yazigi called on Friday for the formation of a government in which all the rival parties are represented and stopping the emigration of Christians.

In remarks ahead of a trip to France and Germany, Yazigi stressed “the importance of forming an all-embracing cabinet so that we hold the presidential elections away from vacuum.”

“We hope we would find a solution and that politicians would reach an agreement for the sake of the country,” he said.

“Our people belong to this land, our homes are here so are our families,” Yazigi said.

He hoped that the Lebanese would continue to coexist in the country which is made up of all factions.

Yazigi denied there was progress in the case of two bishops kidnapped in Syria.

Bishops Youhanna Ibrahim and Boulos Yazigi were abducted by gunmen at the end of April near the Syrian city of Aleppo.

Last month, General Security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas discussed the case with Syrian President Bashar Assad.

He has also traveled to Qatar to secure their release.

Nine Lebanese hostages held for 17 months by rebels in northern Syria were exchanged last month for two Turkish pilots abducted in Beirut in August.

Syrian authorities have also released scores of women detainees as part of the hostage exchange brokered by Qatar and the Palestinian Authority.