Lebanon’s Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi has urged political parties to secure the formation of a government and the election of a new president.

The patriarch called for a president who abides by the Lebanese cause, national principles and Lebanon’s sovereignty and independence, and who respects the principle of impartiality.

He rejected a president who is influenced by the regional axes.

Rahi’s comments came during a mass sermon in the Qannoubine Valley attended by Caretaker Information Minister Ziad Makari.

The patriarch strongly rejected any delay in the election of a new president.

“We cannot call for Lebanon’s neutrality and choose a president who is biased towards the axes and thus unable to implement neutrality,” he stressed.

On maritime demarcation talks between Lebanon and Israel, Rahi said that Lebanon “cannot wait for a long time to extract gas and oil while Israel is already doing so.”

He called on the US, which is mediating the negotiations, to resolve the problem.