The Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi stated that Lebanon is “witnessing political, moral, administrative, judicial, and commercial corruption,” stressing that “people have lost their humanity and have become wicked, which caused the deterioration and collapse of political work” in the country.
During the Sunday Mass sermon, Rahi also wondered about the reasons for the obstruction of the quorum during the June 14 electoral session and chastised members of Parliament for their laxist approach in dealing with the presidential vacuum. “Can someone explain why the quorum for electing a president was invalidated on June 14? And why do MPs go on vacation in August, on the coast, and in the mountains?” he questioned.
“Do the officials know that the tourism sector has been a lifeline this year? Preserving the tourism sector is the foundation for building the nation,” he continued. “If the officials cared more about collecting taxes and if the State were able to control smuggling and stop embezzlement, it would have saved enough money to pay for the public sector salaries without having to resort to depositors’ money,” he added.
Rahi also condemned the fact that “Syrian refugees are occupying the country with the support of the international community.”
