Maronite Patriarch: Lebanon is a boat sinking amid economic and financial collapse
Card al Rahi expressed again his solidarity to young protesters engaged in a “peaceful uprising" under a "single flag". Catholic leaders call for a "credible and effective" government. The Beirut marathon is cancelled. Army chief stressed the peaceful nature of protests, but adds that the military is ready to intervene.
Beirut (AsiaNews) – Three weeks since the fall of the government, “positions have remained the same" whilst the “ship of state is sinking,” said Maronite patriarch card Beshara al Rahi in a harsh critique of the country’s situation.
In his Sunday homily, he spoke again about the country’s political crisis. A month after anti-government protests broke out on 17 October and the prime minister resigned, a solution to the latter seems far from certain.
The cardinal renewed his prayer and expression of solidarity "to the people, young people, men and women” involved in this “peaceful uprising” marked “by unity under a single flag”.
The politicians, warns Patriarch al Rahi, are “responsible for the formation of the new government". In carrying out their task, they must be "free from interests, personal bias and factionalism”. They should be conscious of the serious task and "historic responsibility" that lay ahead for Lebanon, which is on the brink of "economic and financial collapse".
The cardinal ended his homily condemning the "great offence" against "the country and its citizens. Impoverishing the people and dismantling the state is a betrayal.”
Lebanon’s ongoing political, economic and social crisis, now in its second phase, was also the subject of an in-depth examination at the 53rd ordinary session of the Council of Patriarchs and Catholic Bishops, held from 11 to 15 November at the Maronite patriarchal see in Bkerké.
Catholic leaders spoken of a "historic upheaval" in progress, in which the Lebanese "have overcome sectarian and partisan affiliations" and united around a single “national identity”, which was “the basis for the creation of Greater Lebanon a hundred years ago”.
Protests are driven by widespread "corruption" and "loss of trust in political leaders", economic and social "collapse" and the logic of "quotas and clientelism" in public institutions and offices; hence the need for a "credible and effective" government to implement reforms, recover funds looted over time and regain control over public spending.
The sit-ins, the prelates say in their final statement, represent "a unique event in the history of Lebanon" and offer hope that "it will not be exploited at a political and partisan level".
To President Michel Aoun they ask to guarantee Lebanon’s "sovereignty, independence and unity,” as well as take action in favour of the economy and “the rule of law through the selection of competent people" who can meet the “aspirations of all Lebanese, especially the young”.
Meanwhile, the tense situation has led to the cancellation of the Beirut marathon, initially scheduled for 10 November and postponed to a later date.
The traditional event took on political undertones in the past. In 2017, it was used to protest against Saudi Arabia during the tense weeks when Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri was held against his will in that country.
Parliament speaker Nabih Berri and the head of the armed forces, General Joseph Aoun, also spoke recently about the country’s situation.
“The country resembles a sinking ship that is sinking little by little. If we don't take the necessary action, it will sink entirety,” Berri was quoted as saying.
The army commander instead underlined the peaceful nature of protests, unlike what is happening in Iraq.
“We did not stop anyone who is protesting in squares, but when they want to close roads and harass people we will intervene,” he warned.
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