Thousands in Lebanon rally in support of Maronite patriarch
There are no two states in one land and no two armies in one state — Al Rai
Thousands of Lebanese rallied yesterday in support of the Maronite patriarch following Shiite group Hezbollah’s recent criticism of the Christian leader’s positions.
Earlier this month, Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al Rai had called for a UN-sponsored “international conference” in the face of Lebanon’s economic collapse and political impasse.
Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah last week slammed the proposal, saying it would open the door to foreign interference or even to an “occupation”. In a show of support for the patriarch, thousands rallied at the patriarchate in Bkerke, north of the capital Beirut, carrying Lebanese flags and portraits of Al Rai.
Lebanon is locked in its worst economic crisis in decades and desperately needs aid, but donors have conditioned financial help on an independent cabinet enacting sweeping reforms. Prime minister Hassan Diab resigned after a massive blast at Beirut’s port in August that killed more than 200 people, but the divided political class has failed to name a new government to help lift the country out of the economic crisis.
Crowd shouts Hezbollah terrorist group
In a speech to the crowd yesterday, Al Rai repeated the call for an international conference, saying that “all we propose is to revitalise the Lebanese state, which is in disarray, broken”.
“The state is collapsing, people are starving,” he said, calling on Lebanese to react to the “failure” of the political class. “There are no two states in one land and no two armies in one state.”
The demonstrators shouted slogans in support of the Lebanese army and denounced Hezbollah as a “terrorist” group, an AFP photographer said.
“Neutrality, sovereignty, stability,” read one banner hanging on a church facade.
Through international conference we want to announce the neutrality of Lebanon so that it does not return to become a victim of conflicts and wars.”
Bechara Boutros Al Rai | Maronite Patriarch