NNA - An array of local affairs topped talks held Monday between Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Mar Beshara Boutros Rahi, House Speaker Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Najib Mikati in Rome.



Environment Minister, Nazem Khoury, and the Lebanese Ambassador to the Vatican, George Khoury, attended the meeting.



Premier Mikati said that talks featured high on the necessity to reach a new elections law in order to avoid any vacuum at the Parliament.



He confirmed that both Rahi and Berri were concerned with finalizing this long-simmering electoral affair.



He maintained that the Patriarch would be holding contacts with officials after he returns in Beirut to reach the sought agreement.



In response to a question about Sunday events in Beirut, Mikati said contacts were still being underway to suitably follow up on this issue.



He did not fail to up calls upon the Lebanese to rise above conflicts and to protect the country from sectarian discord and trade of accusations.


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