NNA - Caretaker Public Health Minister, Ali Hassan Khalil, on Monday stepped up calls for holding Lebanon's presidential elections on time, highlighting the importance of reaching unanimous Lebanese agreement on all the major and looming deadlines.



The Minister's words came during the inauguration of a graduation ceremony by the Islamic Message Scouts of Mount Amel, which was held at Qana massacre hall, in the presence of MP Ali Khreiss and other official and social dignitaries.



"Our constitution urges us to meet and draft all the necessary solutions towards elections with the least possible disintegration and challenges," Khalil said, suggesting the resumption of national dialogue en route to all the aspired national goals.



The Minister seized the occasion to fervently deplore the kidnap of nuns in the Syrian city of Maaloula, pressing for their swift release. He also called for a speedy settlement that would ensure the release of the two abducted bishops as well.



"This matter doesn't only have to do with a specific sect or religion. This is a matter that involves all those who believe in the holy message of God," Khalil added.



As for the growing state of Syrian unrest, the Minister blamed the entire situation on "intentional funding of some terrorist groups in a bid to delay the much needed political solution."



"We hope that Geneva 2 will take place in a way that best benefits the Syrian nation, its future, and its supportive role to Lebanon and its resistance," Khalil added.



In his speech, the Health Minister also mentioned the sacrifices of the scouts that stood side-by-side with the ranks of the resistance facing the Israeli enemy.



"At this critical and decisive stage (...) we stand in an unprecedented need for unity in discourse (...) in a way which brings our people together, rather than allow them to fall to ill- willed regional traps," he concluded.


================R.H.