Maronite Patriarch Bechara Al-Rahi met with MP Salim Sayegh on Tuesday in Bkerke to discuss Lebanon’s pressing political challenges, including preparations for the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Speaking after the meeting, Sayegh said that he and the Patriarch addressed “several issues, foremost among them the recent visit of His Holiness the Pope to Lebanon, which must be translated into positions and measures that concern all Lebanese.”

The discussion also focused on the electoral process, which Sayegh described as a top national priority.

“The second and more important topic is the electoral process, which must be conducted in full compliance with the Lebanese Constitution,” Sayegh said. “It is the duty of Parliament to seize every opportunity to give the Lebanese people their right to a transfer of power. We have never accepted any postponement or manipulation of this process, and there is a strong desire among both resident and expatriate Lebanese to exercise their right to vote. This was emphasized by His Beatitude, and we call on Parliament to assume its full responsibility in this regard.”

Sayegh also highlighted the need to ensure that Lebanese living abroad can participate in elections without undue delay.

“The Lebanese Army’s plan in the north of the Litani River must be implemented, and the necessary adjustments to the current law must be completed in Parliament so that expatriates can vote wherever they are,” he said. “Postponing elections even for a few months under the pretext of awaiting expatriate participation undermines the principle of equality among expatriates, effectively giving voting power only to those who are financially capable.”

The meeting underscored the urgency of protecting electoral integrity and ensuring that all Lebanese, at home and abroad, can exercise their democratic rights without obstruction.