Reuters Lebanon’s top Christian cleric urges politicians to form government 14 hrs ago Spirit of Christmas still alive as hundreds of Canadians give the gift of giving Sources: Human remains found at site of Nashville RV exp

[size=47]Lebanon’s top Christian cleric urges politicians to form government[/size]

14 hrs ago

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Sources: Human remains found at site of Nashville RV explosion

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon’s top Christian cleric urged politicians on Friday to rid themselves of external pressure and form a government to end political deadlock and help resolve a severe financial crisis.

:copyright: Reuters/Dalati Nohra FILE PHOTO: Lebanese Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rai speaks after meeting with Lebanon's President Michel Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda

Fractious politicians have been unable to agree on a new administration since the last one quit in the aftermath of the Aug. 4 Beirut port explosion, leaving Lebanon rudderless as it sinks deeper into economic crisis.

Veteran Sunni politician Saad al-Hariri was named premier for a fourth time in October promising to form a cabinet of specialists to enact reforms necessary to unlock foreign aid, but political wrangling has delayed the process.

If the reasons for not forming government are internal than "the problem is great" because it shows lack of responsibility, but if they are external "it is greater" because it exposes loyalties beyond Lebanon, Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rai said at Christmas Mass.