Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rai stressed that it is “shameful to raise the possibility of ‘bringing down’ the army commander-in chief at the most crucial time in Lebanon’s history.” He also considered that such remarks “undermine the determination of the military institution, which is a source of confidence and stability for citizens, and requires more support.”
Army Commander General Jospeh Aoun is due to retire on January 10. Political forces disagree on the best way to proceed in order to avoid a vacancy at the head of the troops.
In his Sunday homely in Bkerke, Patriarch Rai declared that it is “essential to elect a President of the Republic” with the beginning of the second year of presidential vacancy, “a seemingly intentional vacancy enabling clientelism to continue within the administration.”
“It is essential to protect institutions” rather than engage in internal bickering, he said.
The Patriarch also expressed his solidarity with Gaza “where a devastating and genocidal war is being waged by force of bombs,” stressing that it is time to give the Palestinians their rights and establish peace through two-state negotiations.
“Everyone we met in Rome expressed their fear that the war would spread to Lebanon,” explained the Maronite Patriarch. He also indicated that he discussed the question of the return of Syrian refugees to their country, as well as the need to put an end to hostilities in Gaza with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
