Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai reiterated on Thursday his call to implement a policy of neutrality and keep Lebanon away from "western or eastern alliances.” After meeting with a delegation of Muslim and Christian religious figures in Dimane, the Patriarch said he understands that some leaders cannot take an official position regarding neutrality, noting that he had received responses regarding this issue from all parties expect Hezbollah, which has not revealed an official position yet. Rai also met with the German Ambassador to Lebanon, Andreas Kindl, and the two discussed bilateral relations and the support Germany is providing to Lebanon. The Patriarch said that Lebanon was neutral in the past, however, Israel and other states were not fond of the situation. “My call for neutrality is not against Hezbollah, rather, it is in the interest of all Lebanese,” he stressed. Rai’s call for neutrality came as efforts continue to form a new government. In this regard, member of the Strong Republic (Lebanese Forces) parliamentary bloc MP Wehbe Katisha expressed his surprise that some parties are still obstructing the birth of a new government, particularly under the current difficult circumstances the country is going through. He said Prime Minister-designate Mustapha Adib should be offered an “absolute license” to form his new government. Meanwhile, member of the Strong Lebanon (Free Patriotic Movement) parliamentary bloc MP Ibrahim Kanaan denied on Thursday reports published by some media outlets saying that MP Alain Aoun and himself had opposed an attempt by FPM leader MP Gebran Bassil to convince the bloc to “demand a ministerial share in the new cabinet.” Other political forces demanded the formation of a small government of specialists and experts. Resigned deputy Shamel Roukoz hoped that the new government be given exceptional authority for a specific period to introduce necessary reforms.