Al-Rahi Warns of Attempt to Seize Christian Posts, Calls for Backing Quint Efforts

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi, during his Sunday sermon, expressed concerns over what he sees as an effort to seize Christian-held positions within the Lebanese state. He urged political parties to collaborate with the ongoing efforts of the international five-nation group concerning the presidential election.

He highlighted the damaging effects of the current political vacuum, which he believes is intentional, leading to the breakdown of institutions, administrative disorder, violations of laws, and targeting Christian, particularly Maronite, state positions. Al-Rahi warned that such actions could undermine the partnership and power-sharing system that governs Lebanon.

The patriarch acknowledged the significance of foreign initiatives but stressed that they should not replace the decision-making power of the Lebanese people and their parliamentary representatives. He criticized some parliamentary blocs for relying on foreign intervention or anticipating external developments, which he sees as misguided.

Al-Rahi called for internal efforts to complement international initiatives, particularly those led by the five-nation committee for Lebanon, which recently renewed its focus on the presidential issue. He reminded parliament that it holds the primary responsibility for resolving this political deadlock and restoring normalcy to Lebanon’s political landscape.