Al-Rahi Meets Suleiman: Dialogue Only Way to Exit Dangerous Political Crisis

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi on Thursday stressed that change requires “serious dialogue,” lauding President Michel Suleiman’s call for dialogue and saying it can provide an opportunity for “transition to a better political and economic period.”

During a meeting with Suleiman at the Baabda Palace, the patriarch said the president's “call for dialogue remains the only way to exit the dangerous political crisis and put an end to its economic and social repercussions.”

“Any change requires a serious and frank dialogue during which every party shoulders its responsibilities before history,” said al-Rahi.

The opposition March 14 camp has called on Prime Minister Najib Miqati's government to step down, accusing it of failing to provide stability and security and of trying to cover up for the Oct. 19 assassination of Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau head Maj. Gen. Wissam al-Hasan.

Hasan was assassinated on October 19 in a powerful car bombing in the Beirut district of Ashrafiyeh that also killed his bodyguard and a civilian woman and wounded more than 100 people.

The incident sparked a political crisis, unrest across Lebanon and deadly clashes in Tripoli and Beirut.