Al-Rahi: Spread of Arms to Blame for Return of Assassinations

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi noted on Wednesday that the powers carrying out assassinations in Lebanon enjoy political cover.

He said before reporters at his Diman summer residence: “The spread of arms in Lebanon outside the authority of the state is to blame for the return of assassinations.”

“The absence of the state and lack of loyalty to it have led to the current reality. Arms are spread everywhere among the Palestinians, Hizbullah, parties and the people,” he said.

“Who is responsible for the country?” he wondered.

He stated that the people no longer feel safe and “the return of political assassinations is a result of the lack of loyalty to the state and its institutions.”

“Is it possible that there should be dialogue over whether the army should deploy at the border?” asked the patriarch.

“Have any of the criminals behind the assassinations since 1975 until now been caught?” continued al-Rahi.

“Do we know why they were killed?” he asked.

“Lebanese officials receive orders from foreign forces. None of them take independent decisions as each one has a foreign authority to follow,” he added.

“Lebanon is in need of individuals who are only loyal to Lebanon” and who place their country’s interests before those of their sect, leader, or party, continued the patriarch.

“Such a situation cannot persist,” he stated.

“We hope that Lebanon will be declared a neutral country that does not become linked to regional or international axes, but it must also commit to Arab and international causes,” al-Rahi said.

He hoped Lebanon will remain “a country that can cater to all sides.”

“This is the meaning of neutrality and not that of choosing not to interfere in any regional or international axes as is currently happening,” he continued.

“Lebanon must play a pioneering role in the Arab world,” stated the patriarch.