Al-Rahi Unveils Bkirki Treaty, Urges Need to Hold Presidential Elections, Achieve National Goals
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi unveiled on Wednesday the “Bkirki Treaty” that focuses on preserving Lebanon's coexistence and national pact and fabric.
He stressed the importance of staging the presidential elections, while urging officials to place Lebanon's interests at heart of their actions.
He announced the treaty, which is based on the three principles of coexistence, the national pact, and national fabric, on the occasion of Mar Maroun that falls on February 9.
“Coexistence is not a temporary matter, but it is at the heart of the Lebanese experience, despite some sides' skepticism of this principle,” he remarked.
“Coexistence lies in belonging to a civilized project that brings together Muslims and Christians,” he declared.
This civilized project is based on freedom, fair participation in rule, and maintaining Lebanon's diversity, explained the patriarch.
“Lebanon is constantly evolving through the experience of coexistence,” he remarked.
Addressing the national pact, al-Rahi said that this issue is “not ephemeral or a series of temporary agreements that one can back down on when his interests are threatened.”
On Lebanon's fabric, he noted that historic experiences have proven that the country cannot rise without its Muslim and Christians.
“This fabric was never based on who has greater numbers,” he said while reading the Bkirki treaty that was declared after the Maronite bishops' monthly council.
“The Lebanese should be proud of the political and constitutional achievements they made while building their country decades ago. This same spirit must be regained at this critical time,” stressed al-Rahi.
The church cannot stand idly by as dangers are threatening Lebanon, he stated.
“The Lebanese can save themselves through completing the construction of the state and they should realize that any national project that does not serve national interests will fail,” he warned.
He cautioned officials that their greed for power will only lead Lebanon towards the abyss.
Furthermore, he warned that the obstruction of state and constitutional institutions will result in the obstruction of the parliamentary and presidential elections.
“The elections should serve as democratic opportunities to practice the rotation of power,” he explained.
“Lebanon must stage the elections in order to demonstrate that it truly is a democratic country that it boasts to be and in order to prove that it respects the rotation of power,” demanded the Maronite patriarch.
“Electing a new president is a main condition for the rise of the state and there can be no move forward without it,” he added.
The Bkirki treaty also emphasized the need to maintain Lebanon's “positive neutrality, which is based on its defensive abilities that are bolstered by the army and various security forces.”
Lebanon must be strong enough to defend itself and serve its surroundings in order to achieve its message of diversity, noted al-Rahi.
To this end, Lebanon should remain neutral from regional and international conflicts as stipulated by the Baabda Declaration.
“Helping Lebanon end its crisis lies solely in returning to higher national interests that are based on the national pact and constitution,” stressed al-Rahi.
This can be achieved through internal dialogue that can help assert real peace, he explained.
The new president is tasked with resuming the national dialogue among the Lebanese foes, the patriarch added.
He also stressed the need hold the presidential elections on time and form a new government.
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