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.



US Says Committed to 'Diplomatic Resolution' in Lebanon

FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)
FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)
TT

US Says Committed to 'Diplomatic Resolution' in Lebanon

FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)
FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks in Greenwich, London, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stressed that the United States was dedicated to a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon and urged Israel to improve "dire" conditions in Gaza, in a call Saturday with his Israeli counterpart.

Austin "reiterated US commitment to a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon that allows Israeli and Lebanese civilians to return safely to their homes on both sides of the border" in his call with Israel Katz, according to a Pentagon spokesperson.

Austin also "urged the Government of Israel to continue to take steps to improve the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza and emphasized the US commitment to securing the release of all hostages, including US citizens."

Lebanon said Saturday that an Israeli air strike in the heart of Beirut that brought down a residential building and jolted residents across the city killed at least 11 people.

Israel stepped up its campaign against the Hezbollah militant group in late September, targeting its strongholds in Lebanon.

Lebanon's health ministry says at least 3,645 people have been killed since October 2023, when Hezbollah began trading fire with Israel in solidarity with its Palestinian ally Hamas.

The United Nations and others have repeatedly decried humanitarian conditions, particularly in northern Gaza, where Israel said Friday it had killed two commanders involved in Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack.

In the call with Katz, Austin also discussed ongoing Israeli operations and reaffirmed Washington's "ironclad commitment to Israel's security," the Pentagon said.