Beirut -- Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir said on Sunday that the prevailing Lebanese political deadlock "portends evil." "As it is said, a war starts with a word ... listening to the current speeches, which are loaded with insults, one can say that a war is on the verge of igniting," the prelate said in a sermon at Bkirki.

"No one cares about the Lebanese people, who are only worried about their source of income and the future of their children," he said. "Most of the Lebanese people are unable to meet their daily needs since the country's economic, and probably social, activity is completely paralyzed."

Sfeir urged all Lebanese to stand united in order to end the prevailing crisis and restore security, stability, peace and independence in Lebanon.

In other developments, Sfeir met on Saturday with Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun.

Aoun said after the meeting that he hoped all Lebanese parties would accept the Maronite Church's "declaration of principles" issued last week.

The Maronite Council of Bishops, headed by Sfeir, issued a conciliatory statement on behalf of the church on Wednesday containing several suggestions for ending the political deadlock. http://www.dailystar.com.lb

The recommendations included the implementation of "a code of honor" to be applied to all parties, the creation of an international tribunal to try suspects in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, a new electoral law and the formation of a "reconciliation" government that would hold early presidential elections.

In response to a question from reporters, Aoun denied that the church had asked him to "leave the streets."

"Bkirki said that streets do not solve the problem, while admitting that demonstrating is a sacred constitutional right of all Lebanese," he said.

"We spent two months at the dialogue table ... and we weren't able to solve any problems," he said. "That is why we decided to hold peaceful demonstrations ... and they will remain peaceful."

Aoun also renewed his call for Premier Fouad Siniora to step down.

"Your Excellency the prime minister, stop being stubborn ... go home," Aoun said in a televised statement Saturday from his home in Rabieh. "That's better for you because you are unable to steer the ship no matter how much support you get from abroad. Please step down."

By Maroun Khoury
Daily Star, Lebanon, with Naharnet