The Archbishop of Beirut, Elias Audi, believes that displaced Syrians in Lebanon have the right to live in dignity, “in their own country, and not at the expense of the Lebanese.”
“Lebanon’s salvation can only be at the hands of leaders who will put the country’s interests above all others, disregarding their egoism, their personal interests, and their ties, but above all their gains,” he insisted in his Sunday homily.
In this context, Metropolitan Audi took aim at political leaders and officials who are slow to “restructure the state, starting with the presidency of the Republic, to manage the affairs of the country and its citizens.”
In this context, he denounced “the security chaos resulting from impunity, the absence of border controls, and the massive flow of non-Lebanese (alluding to displaced Syrians, editor’s note), most of whom are in an illegal situation or are outlaws, as the statistics show.” “They commit crimes against the Lebanese, such as those in Achrafieh and Jbeil,” he continued, referring to the crime that claimed the life of a senior in Sioufi, as well as the murder of Pascal Sleiman, coordinator of the Lebanese Forces in the Jbeil region, who was kidnapped last Sunday and whose body was found on Monday, in Syria.
Read more
“Of course, we respect their humanity and their right to lead a dignified life, in complete safety, but in their country and not at the expense of the lives of the Lebanese and their dignity,” insisted Archbishop Audi, inviting those responsible to “apply the laws, work to repatriate the displaced, as well as exert pressure on international bodies to help them in this direction and to offer those returning to their country the necessary aid.”
Referring to the recent visit to Beirut by the Cypriot President, Nikos Christodoulides, to discuss the flow of migrants from Lebanon, Archbishop Audi wondered whether the Lebanese did not also have the right to be concerned about their fate and that of their country. “No one knows the number of displaced people whose situation is illegal, who don’t pay taxes, who represent a security, economic and demographic danger,” he insisted. “It is the duty of those in charge to unify their positions on this issue, to develop a clear strategy for dealing with it, and to have the courage to confront the international community in this regard.”
For the Metropolitan, “Those in charge must have the will to protect the people from any danger and to apply the laws to anyone present on Lebanese soil.” In this context, he invited all those in charge to “take things seriously to avoid the worst.” “Years go by without any serious solutions being found. Some people hide this issue, others neglect it, while others still do nothing but talk and denounce,” insisted Audi. “It is the duty of those in charge to talk less and work more. Citizens are not responsible. Governors are, and it’s up to them to find solutions. Citizens, for their part, must be vigilant and not allow themselves to be drawn into illegal affairs that lead to conflict and confrontation.”
Affirming that “man must live in dignity,” Archbishop Audi noted in conclusion that “the displaced are victims, and all parties have a duty to find a solution to their situation, knowing that this must not be at the expense of other people.”
