Al-Rahi Urges Civil Society to Reunite People Away from Political Bickering
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi accused on Sunday politicians of creating divisions among the people, blaming it for the “fragmentation of society.”
He therefore urged during his Sunday sermon officials from the civil society to “work on reuniting the people, in cooperation with schools and universities, away from political divisions and affiliations.”
“Lebanon can no longer persist in this state of fragmentation caused by the schemes of powerful politicians,” he remarked.
“It is now the duty of civil society to seize control … and protect the components of the nation through culture and ethics and committing to reforming a people who are united behind the truth, freedom, and loyalty to the nation,” al-Rahi said.
Al-Rahi has been critical of officials following the ongoing presidential vacuum and their failure to stage the parliamentary elections, which prompted lawmakers earlier this week to extend parliament's term until 2017.
The disputes between the rival March 8 and 14 camps over a compromise candidate has been thwarting the presidential elections.
M.T.
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