Rahi urges leaders to be loyal to the country

Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Beshara Boutros Rahi, urged Lebanese officials to respect the state and the people and to show loyalty to the motherland. In his homily during Sunday Mass at Bkerki, the prelate stressed the need to save Lebanon from its socio-economic , political and security crises and put aside denominational and regional conflicts, as confirmed by the national pact and the Declaration of Baabda . The Patriarch criticized those who hinder the formation of the new government, which would be able to cope with challenges and constitutional deadlines. "Paralyzing the work of constitutional institutions will exacerbate sectarian tensions, disputes and conflicts. It will enhance socio -economic crisis that weigh heavily on people, and drive them to emigrate," he said. Within this framework, Rahi addressed the issue of victims and missing Lebanese who were on the ferry which capsized in Indonesia, expressing sorrow and sympathy to their families. "We condemn the political behaviour leading to destruction and disfiguring the image, the model and position of the homeland." Because of the laxity and disputes between political and religious parties, illegal arms spread and cause chaos, as was the case yesterday in Baalbek and Tripoli. "This is unacceptable and constitutes a crime against the country and its people," said the Maronite Patriarch. He also said that the church presses on with its prayers for the international community to work for peace in Syria and the holding of the conference in Geneva 2, in order to find a peaceful, just and inclusive solution to conflicts in the region.