Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai voiced hope on Wednesday that a new president would be elected within the two months preceding the expiration of the current president's term, as required by the constitution, so that the new president could "steer the nation's ship wisely and knowledgeably amid the raging waves."
Rai's remarks came during a speech he gave at the start of the Maronite Church's Synod of Bishops' spiritual exercise.
He also called for the formation of a new government as soon as possible so that it could carry out its responsibilities as an executive authority.