Al-Rahi Urges Officials Not to Cover Up for 'Arms Multiplicity'
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi on Sunday stressed that Lebanese officials “do not have the right to reject the hands that are extended to help them,” in an apparent reference to the paper of Arab and international demands that has been presented to Lebanon by Kuwait.
Lebanese officials “should not conceal truths, distort facts, cover up for the multiplicity of arms, justify violations and practices, or evade giving answers to the key issues,” al-Rahi said in his Sunday Mass sermon.
He added that “because the Lebanese state is today unable to agree on a unified stance regarding the proposals and initiatives that are beings submitted to it,” a U.N.-sponsored international conference must be held to “put an executive mechanism for the U.N. resolutions.”
Commenting on the withdrawal of ex-PM Saad Hariri from political life, al-Rahi described Hariri as “the man of moderation,” and said his decision has been “surprising.”
“It has sparked alarm and protest among a national segment that is an essential partner in the national partnership,” the patriarch added, referring to the Sunni community.
“As we hope that his decision is temporary, we would like for the dear Sunni community to maintain its enthusiasm for elections,” al-Rahi went on to say.
Source: Naharnet
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