Al-Rahi: No One Can Avoid Implementing Baabda Declaration

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi highlighted on Thursday the importance of the Baabda Declaration, saying it is a written agreement, “not ink on paper,” that was approved by all political powers.

He said ahead of traveling to Romania: “No one can shy away from their responsibilities towards the Declaration.”

“No one has the right to link Lebanon, its people, and economy to the developments in Syria,” he added.

“That would be a shame for Lebanon's sovereignty and independence,” declared al-Rahi.

Moreover, the patriarch called on President Michel Suleiman and Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam to speed up the formation of a new government.

“Conditions should not be placed on the formation of a cabinet and Suleiman and Salam should use their constitutional rights to that end,” he remarked.

A presidential statement on the Baabda Declaration on Thursday had said that the agreement did not address the resistance, but it paved the way for discussions on a defense strategy.

Hizbullah has acknowledged that it was taking part in the fighting in Syria alongside the country's regime, saying it is defending it against the threat of takfiris and also protecting holy Shiite sites.