Lebanon’s Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rai said that Lebanon needs to remain "neutral" from regional developments, noting how that largely impacts the country’s coexistence.
In remarks during his Sunday sermon, Rai urged the candidates for the position of the presidency to seek to declare Lebanon’s neutrality in order to gain the trust of Lebanese, and the trust of the Arab and International communities.
“It is not possible for Lebanon to live its identity, nature, and mission if it does not restore its active impartiality, which is at the core of its constitutional entity,” said Rahi during the sermon.
He added that neutrality saves Lebanon from involving itself in the struggles and wars of others, and eliminates contentious issues among the Lebanese.
“If the new candidates for the presidency were serious to seek the declaration of Lebanon’s neutrality, they would gain the trust of the Lebanese and that of the Arab and International communities," said Rai. "The people need a president who will pull Lebanon out of conflicts; not to renew his stay there.”
President Michel Aoun's six-year term ends on Oct. 31.
Rai emphasized that the candidate for the presidency must have a serious vision to solve Lebanon’s multiple crises, and announce a clear position regarding Lebanon’s fateful issues.
The candidates must declare “their national priorities for economic and monetary advancement, must declare the path to follow to restore Lebanon’s entity and prevent its fragmentation…how to restore Lebanon’s role in its Arab, regional and global surroundings,” said the senior Christian cleric.
At this critical stage the country is witnessing, “it is not permissible to hear the names of candidates without knowing their actual vision for the country. Enough surprises,” he added.
He noted that an experienced president who is well acquainted with public affairs and sovereign positions must be elected within the constitutional period.
Furthermore, Rai said the necessary financial and economic reforms must be quickly implemented in order to save Lebanon and restore the Lebanese banking system to its normal cycle.
