Al-Rahi: Mistrust Has Grown among Lebanese due to Some Sides’ Allegiance to Regional Axes

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi urged on Sunday the government to exert “all efforts” to protect the Lebanese along the border with Syria, especially in the regions of Wadi Khaled and Akkar.

He noted during his Sunday sermon: “Mistrust has grown among the political factions because of their allegiances to regional and international axes that have never served Lebanon’s interests.”

“The government must impose its authority along the border by deploying the army and preventing any arms smuggling,” he said.

“Some Lebanese powers’ have been eager to impose their authority and monopolize the country’s political decisions and public funds,” he added.

“These reasons have led to the spread of arms in Lebanon and the establishment of closed security zones outside the authority of the state,” continued the patriarch.

“Unrest and assassinations have increased as a result of the situation. We pray to God to inspire the officials to end the current flawed situation in order to restore coexistence among the Lebanese,” declared al-Rahi.

Three people were killed and another seven injured on Saturday as shells and Rocket Propelled Grenades landed on the northern area of Wadi Khaled from the Syrian side of the border.

The National News Agency said gunfire erupted near the northern and northeastern border with Lebanon between Syrian troops and gunmen at dawn and was followed by intense shelling.

Two Syrians were killed and two others injured when an RPG hit a center for refugees in the town of al-Hishe before noon.

More than 20 shells had reached Lebanese villages in Wadi Khaled between 1:15 am and 3:00 am which left 19-year-old Nadia al-Oaishi dead in al-Mhatta neighborhood and two children Ahmed and Mustafa al-Makhal injured, NNA said.