General Confederation of Lebanese Workers (CGTL) accepted Monday the verbal resignation of its head, Bechara Asmar, following comments he had made about late Lebanese Maronite patriarch Cardinal Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir and called for his immediate release from prison. Vice-President of CGTL Hassan Fakih announced, in the wake of an urgent meeting by the Bureau of the GCLWs Executive Council, the Confederation accepted the resignation of Asmar and appointed Fakih as acting president. The confederation will hold regular meetings to “take the appropriate decision in the light of the developments.” Fakih apologized to the Lebanese people, the Maronite Church and its patriarch, Beshara Rai, on behalf of the confederation. "We apologize to the Lebanese in general and Christians in particular, as well as to the Patriarchal edifice and master," Fakih added. Fakih condemned the video that was disseminated with content of Asmar insulting Sfeir. He also stressed that the CGTL is subject to the rule of law and the constitution. He added that the confederation will not elect a new president, given that they have three months or more to discuss the matter. The acting head said the confederation called for Asmar’s release and his return to his job at Beirut Port’s silos, saying that the talk that surrounded Asmar following the incident was enough. Earlier, Economy Minister Mansour Bteich announced that his ministry would terminate its contract with Asmar at the port “after his denounced ethical fall. The confederation said it will continue to hold its meetings to take the appropriate decision in light of the developments. It warned against compromising trade and personal freedoms with the aim of passing policies in the service of an economic model that led to the impoverishment of the Lebanese people and the destruction of their productive institutions. The confederation denounced confusing an individual behavior with a national institution that played a key role in maintaining its unity during the Lebanese civil war and the unity of the homeland. CGTL emphasized that it is a democratic trade union subject to public order in Lebanon but it operates in accordance with its basic regulations and by-laws.