Lebanon’s Rahi Warns Against Obstructing Legislative, Presidential Elections

Patriarch Rahi during Sunday’s mass sermon (NNA)
Patriarch Rahi during Sunday’s mass sermon (NNA)
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Lebanon’s Rahi Warns Against Obstructing Legislative, Presidential Elections

Patriarch Rahi during Sunday’s mass sermon (NNA)
Patriarch Rahi during Sunday’s mass sermon (NNA)

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi slammed on Sunday the cabinet paralysis, accusing certain politicians of seeking to obstruct Lebanon’s legislative and presidential elections scheduled for next year.

Lebanon's cabinet has not met since Oct. 12 amid a row over a probe into the 2020 deadly Beirut port blast.

In his Sunday sermon in Bkirki, Rahi said: "The state cannot operate without an executive authority.” He rejected a government that paralyses itself.

Rahi also warned against a plan for capital control that leads to citizens losing the rest of their bank deposits under the pretext of distributing losses.

Addressing the socio-economic crises, Rahi described the situation as “catastrophic.”

Also, the patriarch touched on the issue of Palestinian refugees, criticizing the latest decision of the Labor Minister to allow Palestinians to work in Lebanon.

Rahi considered the Minister’s decision as contradicting the constitution, which rejects the naturalization of Palestinians.



UK FM Calls Israeli Attacks on Gaza Hospital 'Deplorable'

Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, on October 31, 2024. © AFP file photo
Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, on October 31, 2024. © AFP file photo
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UK FM Calls Israeli Attacks on Gaza Hospital 'Deplorable'

Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, on October 31, 2024. © AFP file photo
Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, on October 31, 2024. © AFP file photo

British foreign minister David Lammy condemned Israel's attacks on medical facilities in Gaza on Sunday after two Israeli missiles hit a building inside a Gaza hospital.

"Israel's attacks on medical facilities have comprehensively degraded access to healthcare in Gaza," Lammy said in a short post on social media, Reuters reported.

"Al-Ahli Hospital has been attacked repeatedly since the conflict began. These deplorable attacks must end. Diplomacy, not more bloodshed, is how we will achieve a lasting peace."