Hezbollah Visits Bkirki, Congratulates Rahi

An official delegation of Hezbollah visited on Friday the Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rahi to congratulate him for his new rank.

The delegation held talks with the Cardinal on the latest local developments, particularly a new government and parliamentary electoral law.

It said after the talks at Bkirki: “Proposals to form a neutral government are not realistic and we oppose the obstruction of state institutions.”

“A new electoral law must grant real representation and preserve partnership among the Lebanese people and in the political authority,” said Sayyed Ibrahim Amin al-Sayyed, Hezbollah’s politburo chief, who headed the delegation.

“Those who want to obstruct discussions on the new electoral law should be held accountable for their actions before the Lebanese people. Those obstructing the consultations want the adoption of the 1960s law,” he added.

“We stressed that no matter how great the problems, they should be resolved through dialogue and consultations,” Sayyed continued.

He therefore highlighted the need for the national dialogue that was called for by President Michel Sleiman as a means to solve the problems in Lebanon.

“The Lebanese people are bound by dialogue, not by obstructing state institutions,” he remarked.

Addressing the March 14-led opposition’s boycott of government work, including the national dialogue, Sayyed stated: “No side can obstruct the state’s activity.”

“Problems in Lebanon cannot be solved through accusations and by eliminating the other,” he explained.

“Regardless of the accusations, we must return to dialogue to protect our country and whoever is keen on Lebanon should adopt a more cautious approach,” Sayyed noted after meeting al-Rahi.