Maronite Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi met on Tuesday with Caretaker Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Bassam Mawlawi, in Bkerki.

"We thank God for protecting our country from the repercussions of the earthquake. We put the Patriarch in the form of our follow-up on the ground for any results of the shake and for the treatments that the ministry is carrying out," Mawlawi said after the meeting.

"I briefed the Patriarch on the preparations being made by the ministry regarding municipal elections and the implementation of laws," he added.

Mawlawi noted that there were no intentions of postponing the municipal elections, saying that no funds are needed before April.