Al-Rahi Lauds Release of Abducted Pilgrim: We Reject Security Chaos, Militia Mentality

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi condemned on Sunday the various security incidents that had taken place in Lebanon in recent weeks, saying that the situation has reached an unacceptable level.

He said during his Sunday sermon: “We cannot accept the security chaos and the return of militia practices.”

“We reject the meddling with civil peace, the violation of human dignity through kidnappings, and the so-called tribal councils,” he continued.

The kidnappings are a violation of the state’s administrative, military, and judicial institutions, he noted.

Furthermore, the patriarch condemned the “political cover being provided to these heinous practices.”

“We thank God however for the blessed efforts that led to the release of one of the Lebanese kidnapped in Syria,” al-Rahi remarked.

“We hope the remaining ten pilgrims will be released as well,” he continued.

He also urged the Lebanese who have kidnapped foreigners in Lebanon to release them “out of respect of human dignity.”

Hussein Ali Omar, one of the 11 pilgrims, was released from captivity on Saturday.

The pilgrims were initially kidnapped in Syria’s Aleppo in May as they were making their way back to Lebanon from a pilgrimage in Iran.

Al-Meqdad clan’s military wing had retaliated to the abduction of Hassan al-Meqdad in Syria with the abduction of several Syrian nationals and a Turkish national.

On Saturday, it released several of the Syrians in a goodwill gesture in light of Omar’s release.

Addressing the developments in the northern city of Tripoli, al-Rahi voiced his rejection to the unrest, “particularly that in Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen.”

He rejected the use of Tripoli as a “message box over the division over the painful events in Syria.”

“Tripoli and the North are not areas of extremism, narrow-mindedness, and security chaos,” he declared.

“The North has long been the launch pad for Lebanese unity and loyalty,” he added.

The Tripoli clashes erupted on Monday over an individual dispute which escalated into the Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen unrest.

The fighting has left at least nine people dead and 85 wounded.

Commenting on the Syrian crisis, al-Rahi remarked: “We cannot accept the ongoing circle of violence.”

“It’s unfortunate that the rightful demand for reform would be turned into a sectarian civil war,” he added.

“It’s also unfortunate that attempts would be made to spread this war to Lebanon through Tripoli,” al-Rahi said.

“Who is responsible for this and who is benefitting from it?” he asked.