Al-Rahi Slams 'Disgraceful' Abduction of Turks, Urges Release of Aazaz Pilgrims

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi on Sunday condemned as “disgraceful” the abduction of two Turkish pilots near Beirut's Rafik Hariri International Airport, saying they were kidnapped in a prearranged and “professional” manner amid “the absence of the state's security authorities.”

Al-Rahi warned that the operation will harm Lebanon's image, urging state officials to stop being “reckless concerning security and people's interests.”

“Enough with your personal disputes at the expense of Lebanon and its institutions and people,” the patriarch added, urging the release of the pilots as soon as possible.

“We reiterate our call for the release of the Lebanese abductees in (Syria's) Aazaz as well as the two bishops Boulos Yazigi and Youhanna Ibrahim and the three priests who were kidnapped in Syria and we pray for this to happen,” al-Rahi said.

He also blasted Lebanese officials over the delay in “forming a new cabinet; holding the parliamentary polls; drafting a fair and just electoral law; finalizing the administrative appointments, executive decrees and legislation; resolving the judicial issues; confronting the economic and social challenges; and fending off the security threats created by the repercussions of the war in Syria and the refugee influx.”