Beirut: The head of the Maronite Church in Lebanon launched a scathing attack on the country's political elite on Sunday, accusing it of failing the Lebanese people as well as the rest of the world.

Maronite Patriarch Bechera Boutros al-Rahi urged urgent international action to help repair Lebanon's dire political and economic situation in his sermon on Sunday.

He also criticized the MPs for failing to perform their civic duties.

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The actions of the political and parliamentary group, according to al-Rahi, are in direct opposition to the principles on which Lebanon was founded.

The National Pact, Taif (agreement), constitution, partnership, pluralism and the idea of the establishment are all disrespected in Lebanon.

Is it an intention to destroy present-day Lebanon and build on its ruins a new state that has nothing to do with its inhabitants, its past or its surroundings?

The religious leader's comments came after lawmakers failed to elect a new president for the ninth time, with many lawmakers spoiling their ballots on Thursday.

He further added, "This indicates that they either do not want to elect the President or do not meet the requirements to do so.

Al-Rahi stressed that all parties needed to put aside their differences in order to maintain the respect of the international community and the confidence of the Lebanese people.

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He reiterated his call for the United Nations and other key decision-making countries to draft in help before it was too late as it appeared there would be no internal solution to the crises.

In his sermon, he claimed that many Lebanese decision-makers had rejected internationalization and did not seek a solution to the Lebanese situation, accusing them of failing to implement the letter and spirit of the Taif Agreement.

Lebanon will either be what they want it to be or it won't be. However, let everyone know that Lebanon will be according to the will of all its devoted sons.

Al-Rahi said the following about the Church's role in the political upheaval of the nation: "It does not take sides other than the national right and adheres to inclusive national principles, historical constants and the constitution with its treaty dimension. "

Sheikh Ahmad Kablan of Hezbollah and the Shia Amal movement, Jafari Mufti, reacted angrily to al-Rahi's appeal for outside aid.

He declared: "The UN has no choice but to use the UNHCR (refugee agency) and (other) federations to undermine Lebanon's demographic structure, and New York is the center for sharing deals.

We will not accept the handing over of Lebanon's head of state to a regional or international butcher, as doing so is a clear attack on Lebanon's sovereignty.

The answer is to heed the appeal of Nabih Berri, Speaker of the (Lebanese Parliament), to lead the country from estrangement to dialogue in order to save Lebanon from disasters. Self-defense requires national courage, Kablan continued.

Stating that "the division within parliament is a result of the fact that there are those who want a reformist, sovereign president, and a party that wants a president who protects Hezbollah," Lebanese army MP Ghassan Hasbani Said that the party would be happy to participate in such a dialogue.

The Parliamentary Development and Liberation Bloc, led by Representative Ayub Hamid, declared: "The results of the parliamentary elections have presented a new reality that no one should deny. The focus remains on dialogue.

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"There is no place in Lebanon for the hegemony of one party, the arrogance of others or exaggeration in the handling of national issues.

Because we cannot go beyond security without dialogue, the call for dialogue is necessary in any case.