Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rahi called on officials on Sunday to resume the national dialogue and form a government capable of holding the parliamentary elections on time.

Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rahi called on officials on Sunday to resume the national dialogue and form a government capable of holding the parliamentary elections on time and maintaining the country's security.

“Officials should realize the critical conditions the country is passing through after the cabinet resigned,” Rahi said during a Palm Sunday mass at Bkirki.

Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced his resignation on Friday night in light of the cabinet's failure to approve the decisions to form of an authority to oversee the parliamentary elections and extend the term of Internal Security Forces chief Ashraf Rifi.

Rahi urged the political foes to resume the all-party talks and to form a new cabinet capable of carrying out elections on time.

He said that the cabinet should also be capable of controlling the security situation locally and along the border with neighboring country Syria.

“A government keen to safeguard the country and ensure that it's not a pathway for arms,” the Patriarch added.

Concerning the situation in the northern city of Tripoli, Rahi called on residents to end battles and reach common ground by disassociation the city from the developments in Syria.

Gunfight erupted in Tripoli when a soldier was wounded along with his brother after gunmen entered the state hospital in the area of al-Qobbeh and opened fire at him.