In a press release the prelates call for all stakeholders to work together, especially the president. They also urge the government and ordinary citizens to stop the fires that are devastating the country and move against those who are causing them.

Beirut (AsiaNews) – In a statement released after their monthly meeting presided by Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir, Lebanon’s Maronite bishops expressed hope that Prime Minister Fouad Siniora's national unit government will strengthen peace and unity among the Lebanese. Mr Siniora’s new cabinet is expected to sail through a vote of confidence in parliament next week and start working.

In the statement released last night the prelates said they were hopeful that the new government would bring all Lebanese together and work for the country’s peace, quiet and prosperity with everyone doings its bit, including President Michel Suleiman.

At the same time the bishops said they were following with “growing concern the country’s situation, dismayed by the attacks against its security.”

Never the less, they remained hopeful that “stability would return” for locals as well as tourists who are coming to Lebanon for their holidays.

Last but not least, the prelates turned their thoughts to the wave of fires that have been devastating entire regions of the country.

In view of “media reports blaming the problem on arson,” the bishops said that “it is imperative for the government and ordinary citizens to remain vigilant to prevent such disasters and arrest the alleged arsonists.”

• lebanon
• maronite
• bishops
• nasrallah
• sfeir
• arson
• fires
• siniora
• cabinet
• national
• unity