Syriac Maronite Patriarch criticizes Lebanese officials

BETH KERKE, Lebanon — During his sermon on Sunday, Syriac Maronite Patriarch Moran Mor Bechara Boutros Al-Raï sharply criticized Lebanese officials over the persisting political and economic crises in the country. Al-Raï stated that it is unfortunate to see officials delay resolving the diplomatic crisis with the Gulf states, while the economic and living conditions in the country continue to deteriorate, making problems more difficult to solve and harming the interests of the Lebanese people.

He added, in a clear accusation against the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia in Lebanon, that no party has the right to impose its will on the Lebanese people to cause turmoil with Lebanon’s relationship with the Gulf, to disrupt the work of the government and paralyze the role of the judiciary, and to create an atmosphere of threat and intimidation in Lebanese society. The Patriarch further stated that government officials do not have the right to remain spectators and should not wait for the approval of this or that group to act.

In a call for Lebanon’s neutrality, Patriarch Al-Raï said, “[Although] some consider neutrality a difficult burden, we see in it the only solution to save Lebanon.”