Al-Rahi's Representative: Are Arms Part of Dialogue or Part of Playing with Fire?

Is reliance on the clout of outside forces and arms outside state control part of national dialogue or part of playing with fire, Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi’s representative at a mass commemorating the 29th anniversary of the assassination of ex-president Bashir Gemayel asked rhetorically.

Slain president Gemayel “strived throughout the crisis to restore the unity of land, the sovereignty of people and the prestige of the state,” Patriarchal Vicar General Roland Abu Jaoude said at the ceremony in the Beirut district of Ashrafieh on Wednesday.

“His patriotism pushed him to sacrifice himself for the sake of what and whom he loved. His body turned into an offering for Lebanon’s salvation and he rightfully became the martyr of martyrs,” Abu Jaoude said of the late leader.

“The land he loved will not forget his blood and we sense a dire need for politicians of Bashir’s caliber who would end the hypocrisy and work for the sake of dialogue and harmony,” al-Rahi’s representative added.