Look Who’s Not Talking

As the cohabitation between Seniora and Lahhoud is officially dead, respected voices are asking for Patriarch’s Sfeir intervention to end Lahhoud’s tenure.

When P.M. Seniora said from Washington that President Lahhoud should resign, the presidential palace did what it does best: cling to the letter of the constitution: I have not committed treason and i have not violated the constitution, answers the president, hence “the President is bent on shouldering his responsibilities until the end of his term”

But whether or not Mr. Lahhoud is technically entitled to the presidency is beside the point. The matter in question is Lahhoud’s embarrassing effect on the Christian community. This is why the solution is for the influential Patriarch to intervene and take his mantle off President Lahhoud. Or so Argue The Daily Star’s editorial and Edmond Saab from Annahar today.

The Daily Star had this to say to the Patriarch :

The Christian contribution to Lebanon is vast and well appreciated, but it is now potentially damaged by the continuation of a presidency that has placed obstinacy above credibility. This failed presidency needs to be ended quickly, with the combination of dignity, composure and respect for the rule of law.

Edmond Saab, well known for his “Christian” positions has gone a step further.
In what sounds like a veiled threat to the Patriarch, he had this to say: “If a capable Maronite was not found to replace the current embarrassing president […] we will let (P.M.) Seniora drive the ship. Because he’s currently the most honest, courageous, loyal, and the one worthy of everyone’s trust.

In other words, find us a decent Christian President or we’ll have to follow the Moslem guy.
That should get the Patriarch moving.