Maronite Bishops Warn of Economic Collapse in Lebanon, Urge Support for Army
The Maronite bishops council warned on Wednesday of an economic collapse in Lebanon given the state’s failure in meeting the needs of the private and public institutions.
They blamed the current situation on poor economic policies since the end of the Lebanese civil war, the increase in corruption, and “the loss of the state’s decision-making power given the deep political divisions.”
The bishops made their remarks after their monthly meeting headed by Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi.
The solution to the poor economic situation lies in the state’s activation of various regulatory authorities.
It must launch a partnership between the private and public sectors, which includes citizens residing in Lebanon as well as expatriates, they continued.
In addition, they stressed the need for tackling the public debt through devising budgets that can be implemented on the long-term.
The bishops also suggested the need for “speeding up of the implementation of decentralized administration.”
They also emphasized the need for the state to exercise its authority throughout Lebanon.
Moreover, the bishops urged the people to realize their democratic rights to elect and hold officials responsible for their duties.
“Officials themselves must also assume their moral and national responsibilities,” they added.
“The church cannot distance itself from an issue whose primary victims are the people, especially the poor,” they said of the economic situation.
On the occasion of Army Day, the bishops saluted the army’s sacrifices, calling on all sides “to support it in order for it to remain the country’s main protector against various threats.”
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