A rally is set to take place on Saturday at the seat of the Maronite church in Bkirki to express support for Patriarch Beshara al-Rai’s call for an international conference to solve Lebanon’s political and economic crises.
Supporters of mainly Christian parties that criticize Hezbollah will attend the rally. Organizers have called on protesters to hoist only the Lebanese flag.
Bkirki spokesman Walid Ghayyad insisted that Saturday’s move was “not a political event, rather it was aimed at supporting the patriarch’s patriotic vision that targets no one.”
Last year, Rai began calling for the country’s neutrality, while he has recently made a proposal for an international conference on Lebanon.
“Our proposal for an international conference came because we are unable to reach understanding, conduct any dialogue or reach an agreement with each other. The international community is responsible for an effective and founding member of the United Nations and it must officially and seriously extend a hand of assistance,” Rai said Thursday.
Grand Jaafarite Shiite Mufti Sheikh Ahmad Qabalan has rejected Rai’s proposal.
“The solution (to the country’s problems) starts and ends in Lebanon,” he said in his Friday sermon.
He called for the formation of a salvation government away from the interference of the international community.
“Internationalization means giving up our patriotic responsibilities,” Qabalan said, warning that it would also threaten the country’s sovereignty and push it to the abyss.