Lebanese Interior Minister Fahmy: our security forces are unable to fulfill their duties in the country

BEIRUT – In a televised interview, the Interior Minister of the Lebanese caretaker government Mohamed Fahmy warned that the Lebanese security forces are losing the ability to control the security over the country. Fahmy warned that the Lebanese army and policing forces are not missing the ability to carry out 90% of their tasks to protect the Lebanese homeland and its citizens.

The Interior Minister blamed the ruling class and political parties, which he said were unable to agree on a national plan to save the sliding country, stressing that the solution lies in forming a new government as soon as possible.

In somewhat similar words, French Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian, held the Lebanese politicians responsible for not helping their deeply troubled country. Le Drian said during a press conference in Paris, that time is running out to prevent the total collapse of Lebanon, adding that he does not see any indication that Lebanese politicians are doing what they need to do to save their country. He said it is down to the Lebanese authorities to take immediate responsibility over their fate.

In a striking message and deeper meaning, Patriarch of the Syriac Maronite Church Mor Beshara al-Raï wrote on his Facebook account about Pope Francis’ visit to Iraq, “Pope Francis did not come to Iraq only to promote Christian unity there, but to promote peace. Peace is the guarantor of the free existence of all components of Iraq, including the Christians.”

The Syriac Maronite Patriarch called on the Christian community, i.e. Chaldeans-Syriacs-Assyrians and Armenians, to stand firm on its land, confront terrorism, and bear witness to Christian values, freedom, and human dignity. He thanked God for the abundant fruits Pope Francis’ prophetic visit would bring to Iraq and its people in general and for Christians in particular, the strengthening of the bonds of human brotherhood between Christianity and Islam.