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CNS Story:
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CHRISTMAS-SFEIR Dec-24-2007 (320 words) xxxi
Lebanese cardinal admonishes politicians for destroying democracy
By Doreen Abi Raad
Catholic News Service
BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNS) -- As Lebanon's presidential vacuum and ongoing political impasse continue, its Catholic cardinal admonished politicians for destroying the country's democratic system and abusing their power.
"We have destroyed our democratic system and the freedom that has been granted to us, a freedom that cannot be found in surrounding countries," Cardinal Nasrallah P. Sfeir, patriarch of the Maronite Catholic Church, said in his annual Christmas message.
"The presidency is lost and we have not been able to elect a head of state for the first time in the history of the republic. Parliament has been crippled for more than a year, and the government is incapacitated, with some of its ministers failing to carry out their duties," Cardinal Sfeir said.
Lebanon has been without a president since Emile Lahoud's term expired Nov. 23. Feuding political leaders have failed to elect a successor for the post, which is traditionally reserved for a Maronite Catholic, according to Lebanon's constitution.
A parliament session to elect the president was canceled for the 10th time Dec. 22.
The government and the opposition have agreed on the Lebanese Army commander, Gen. Michel Suleiman, for the presidential post but still remain at odds over the election process and the shape of a new government.
"Isn't it time to wake up and see the fatal vacuum that we have reached?" the cardinal asked.
"How did we reach this stage of power abuse?" the prelate asked. "We are about to destroy the vitals of the nation."
Cardinal Sfeir called for the country's leaders to abandon hatred, feuding and what he described as "cheap exploitation" and "narrow interests."
The prelate warned, "We might destroy our country due to conflicts and discords between us."
"The nation is for all," he stressed. "Let's have mercy on it so it will have mercy on us and on our future generations."
END
Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
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