Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rahi warned on 25 October that Lebanese citizens are bearing the brunt of worsening economic and social conditions in Lebanon. He questioned the state of families and the youth during his address. "What do we say to a family that can no longer afford basic necessities? To a young person searching for a job and a future? To a citizen who feels the burden growing heavier every day?" Bechara al-Rahi asked. He cautioned that the current sacrifices made by the population may have long-term consequences for future generations. "What Lebanese people give up today may be impossible for their children to recover tomorrow," he stated. The Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rahi warned that Lebanese citizens are bearing the brunt of the country's worsening economic and social conditions as they navigate these daily challenges.
Economic Hardship and Property Sales
Patriarch Bechara al-Rahi urged Lebanese citizens on 25 October to refrain from selling their properties despite the ongoing financial difficulties. He emphasized that land represents a fundamental component of national identity and history for the people of Lebanon. According to the Patriarch, the permanent loss of these assets poses a threat to the long-term stability of the country’s demographic and cultural heritage. Patriarch al-Rahi urged Lebanese citizens not to rush into selling their properties, citing the importance of land to national identity and history as a primary reason for his appeal. He reiterated that these assets are not merely financial instruments but are essential to the preservation of the nation’s character.
Bechara al-Rahi also expressed concern regarding repeated attempts to smuggle weapons and explosives into Lebanon. He described these illicit activities as a direct challenge to the security of the nation. Monitoring of borders and transit points remains a point of worry for the Patriarch, who linked these incidents to the broader security challenges facing the state. Patriarch al-Rahi expressed concern over repeated attempts to smuggle weapons and explosives into Lebanon, noting that such activities undermine the safety of the populace.
Addressing the presence of unregulated armaments, Bechara al-Rahi stated that weapons must remain exclusively under the control of the state and its institutions. He argued that the centralization of military power is a prerequisite for maintaining order and sovereignty. The Patriarch asserted that the authority of the Lebanese state must be absolute to ensure the protection of all citizens and the integrity of the national borders. Patriarch al-Rahi stated that weapons must remain exclusively under the control of the state and its institutions, emphasizing that no other entity should possess the capacity to challenge the sovereign authority of the nation. Through these statements, he reinforced his stance on the necessity of state-monopolized security.
