Maronite Patriarch Bechara Al Rahi called on Sunday for a new government, raising three no’s in the face of “remaining in a caretaker government,” “constitutional vacuum,” and “presidential vacancy,” amid a consensus among most Lebanese officials on the need to form a rescue and reform government that addresses corruption and implements the necessary reforms.

In the meantime, the Saudi ambassador, Walid Al-Bukhari, met with representatives and Sunni leaders in his residence in Yarzeh, including the Mufti of the Republic, Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian, and former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora. According to several political sources, these sessions will have a big influence on the parliamentary consultations next Thursday.

The political journalist Mohammad Ibrahim, deputy managing director of the Kuwaiti daily newspaper Al Rai, joined us to discuss this matter further.