Syriac Maronite Patriarch urges swift presidential elections amidst disruptions, calls for border stability

BETH KERKE, Lebanon — In Beth Kerke, Lebanon, during his Sunday sermon, Syriac Maronite Patriarch Mor Bechara Butros al-Rai voiced concern over disruptions caused by influential figures and personal interests in Lebanon’s presidential elections.

Patriarch al-Rai emphasized the urgency of electing a Syriac Maronite Christian president for Lebanon, deeming the current absence unacceptable. He criticized attempts to tie the election process to external issues such as the war on Gaza, asserting that the president’s presence is vital for elevating the Palestinian cause regionally and internationally while safeguarding Lebanon’s territory, people, and national identity.

Addressing the ongoing discourse surrounding the demarcation of southern land borders, the Patriarch highlighted international movements aiming to redefine these boundaries, despite their established status through agreements dating back over a century. Expressing concern over the current void in the presidency and the presence of an incomplete government, Patriarch al-Rai stressed that these are the only valid references for deciding such a crucial national matter.

Referring to the Constitution’s second article, which stipulates that no part of Lebanese territory can be ceded, the Patriarch called for adherence to international agreements and resolutions concerning southern Lebanese land borders. Specifically, he urged the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution No. 1701 and cautioned against making any border adjustments in the absence of a president and a complete government.

The Patriarch’s statement underscored the pressing need for political stability through prompt presidential elections and emphasized the importance of preserving Lebanon’s territorial integrity amidst ongoing regional and international challenges.