Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bkerké (Agenzia Fides) - The scale of the institutional, social and political crisis in Lebanon calls for drastic and timely action and the convening of an international conference initiated by the United Nations to find urgent solutions to prevent the collapse of the "Land of the Cedars", said the Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Rai yesterday, Sunday, February 7th, during the homily of the Sunday liturgy he presided in the Patriarchate in Bkerké.
The appeal to the international community to try to find a solution to the Lebanese crisis was launched by the Maronite Cardinal in the face of the inaction and irresponsibility of the Lebanese power groups. During the homily, the Maronite Patriarch once again condemns parties and politicians of Lebanon that he accuses of pursuing individual and party political interests while the people are starving and treated as "sheep to be slaughtered". For months - the Lebanese Cardinal remarked - it has not even been possible to form a new government, which is why hopes were exhausted, and now to remain silent means making yourself an accomplice in criminal decisions. The governments of all countries in the world - underlined Patriarch Rai - "have sympathized with the people of Lebanon, except his country ".
"Is there a greater crime than this? ". In his homily, the Patriarch also recalled the recent murder of journalist Luqman Selim, known for his criticism of the Shiite Hezbollah Party, killed in circumstances not yet clear in southern Lebanon. The Cardinal described him as one of the "best figures" in the country and called for a careful investigation to identify those responsible for the murder of Selim, which he considers a "political crime".
The last Lebanese government in office, chaired by Premier Hassan Diab, fell after the protests following the explosions in the port of Beirut on 4 August 2020. The Sunni Saad Hariri, leader of the "Future" political party, was charged with forming a new government, but has not yet been able to set up the new cabinet, not least because of the institutional tensions that have arisen between the responsible Prime Minister and President Aoun over the list of ministers who should form the government team. (GV) (Agenzia Fides, 8/2/2021)
