Al-Rahi Unveils Bkirki Treaty, Urges Need to Hold Presidential Elections, Achieve National Goals

إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية W460

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi unveiled on Wednesday the “Bkirki Treaty” that focuses on preserving Lebanon's coexistence and national pact and fabric.

He stressed the importance of staging the presidential elections, while urging officials to place Lebanon's interests at heart of their actions.

He announced the treaty, which is based on the three principles of coexistence, the national pact, and national fabric, on the occasion of Mar Maroun that falls on February 9.

“Coexistence is not a temporary matter, but it is at the heart of the Lebanese experience, despite some sides' skepticism of this principle,” he remarked.

“Coexistence lies in belonging to a civilized project that brings together Muslims and Christians,” he declared.

This civilized project is based on freedom, fair participation in rule, and maintaining Lebanon's diversity, explained the patriarch.

“Lebanon is constantly evolving through the experience of coexistence,” he remarked.

Addressing the national pact, al-Rahi said that this issue is “not ephemeral or a series of temporary agreements that one can back down on when his interests are threatened.”

On Lebanon's fabric, he noted that historic experiences have proven that the country cannot rise without its Muslim and Christians.

“This fabric was never based on who has greater numbers,” he said while reading the Bkirki treaty that was declared after the Maronite bishops' monthly council.

“The Lebanese should be proud of the political and constitutional achievements they made while building their country decades ago. This same spirit must be regained at this critical time,” stressed al-Rahi.

The church cannot stand idly by as dangers are threatening Lebanon, he stated.

“The Lebanese can save themselves through completing the construction of the state and they should realize that any national project that does not serve national interests will fail,” he warned.

He cautioned officials that their greed for power will only lead Lebanon towards the abyss.

Furthermore, he warned that the obstruction of state and constitutional institutions will result in the obstruction of the parliamentary and presidential elections.

“The elections should serve as democratic opportunities to practice the rotation of power,” he explained.

“Lebanon must stage the elections in order to demonstrate that it truly is a democratic country that it boasts to be and in order to prove that it respects the rotation of power,” demanded the Maronite patriarch.

“Electing a new president is a main condition for the rise of the state and there can be no move forward without it,” he added.

The Bkirki treaty also emphasized the need to maintain Lebanon's “positive neutrality, which is based on its defensive abilities that are bolstered by the army and various security forces.”

Lebanon must be strong enough to defend itself and serve its surroundings in order to achieve its message of diversity, noted al-Rahi.

To this end, Lebanon should remain neutral from regional and international conflicts as stipulated by the Baabda Declaration.

“Helping Lebanon end its crisis lies solely in returning to higher national interests that are based on the national pact and constitution,” stressed al-Rahi.

This can be achieved through internal dialogue that can help assert real peace, he explained.

The new president is tasked with resuming the national dialogue among the Lebanese foes, the patriarch added.

He also stressed the need hold the presidential elections on time and form a new government.

Comments 21
Thumb geha 05 February 2014, 13:57

you need to have statesmen to understand what he is saying first, then maybe we will have a state.

what we have now unfortunately is power hungry people who are fighting among each other to divide the new found cake of oil and gas for their own benefits.

all we are seeing nowadays is only about that: who will steal more than the other, and do not even bother to think there is someone better than the others, they are all the same shit.

Thumb cityboy 05 February 2014, 16:23

Finally geha, you posted something which can be respected, maybe not be totally accurate but it does show, and rightly so, the frustration you may have with Lebanese politicians and politics in general. plus 1 from me.

Default-user-icon Carlosthejackel (Guest) 05 February 2014, 14:15

Sad that Rahi has remained silent about the Kezballah drone flying over Maaraab..............

Missing rami 05 February 2014, 16:33

Belongs to Hezb,of course not, a team from Toys R Us just flew in to Lebanon, to demonstrate this new gadget in front of Lebanese toy shops owners, so they can decide and place their orders. So smart FT, so smart as usual.

Thumb eli-g 05 February 2014, 14:53

you are 100% right in you assessment Mr. Geha. The problem that I might add is that people keep electing to their detriment the same class of politicians. Where is the new blood where is the young generation?

Thumb theresistance4.0 05 February 2014, 15:34

The ROOT of the problem my friend is our racist constitution that keeps ALL the same old characters weather, a Christian, Muslim, or Druze in the same seat. Instead of electing based on the creed of his character we elect based on his sect. Lebanon will finally know peace when the people demand this French derived divide and conquer constitution is ripped up. I pray I live to see the day when we have a Christian Prime Minister, a Shia President, and a Sunni Speaker! #WakeUpProject

Default-user-icon Rami (Guest) 05 February 2014, 15:49

All you care about is changing the constitution so that Shia have an equal share of power as the christian and the Sunni... this what Rahi is saying the number doesn't matter and the Taif should not be amended, because now the Shia have the upper hand (or weapon). he also said the power should be shared between Christian and Muslim.. not between Shia , Sunni and christian.

Thumb geha 05 February 2014, 16:26

anonymous

part of the problem is the fact that we have positions divided by sects.

the problem is that we will always have people coming up saying they defend the interests of such sect and so on, just to play with the feelings of some poor soles.

Default-user-icon Rami (Guest) 05 February 2014, 15:06

Politician needs to form a government to face all threats that the country is facing starting from the unbearable economic situation to the bombings that are affecting negatively every Lebanese in some way or the other.

The politician should for at least once look at the real threat that we may face if we don’t form a government and elect a new president as soon as possible.

The Lebanese people deserve a better country where they can live in peace without the fear of a suicide bombings here and there.

Default-user-icon zegabster (Guest) 05 February 2014, 15:25

In other words Aoun and Bassil should be excommunicated

Thumb beiruti 05 February 2014, 16:22

Well first, it is not a treaty. Treaties are reached between sovereign states and this seems to be a modest proposal issued by the Maronite Bishop's Conference.
To whom is it addressed? To Parliament for the enactment of a law? To a future Council of Ministers to be adopted as a policy statement? To a yet to be formed Constitutional Revision Council for amending the organic law of the Republic?
While I understand the frustration felt by Patriarch with our political class and the need to do something to relieve the frustration, clerics should not directly engage in matters of state.

Thumb chrisrushlau 05 February 2014, 16:58

"coexistence, national pact, and foundation" Also known as racism.

Thumb .Mehdi 05 February 2014, 19:01

texasusa don't mind Chris the poor dear is a US vet with acute PTSD who keeps forgetting his meds. He's also a deluded anti Israel Westerners who will support anyone claiming to be anti Israel no matter who they are or if that claim is just empty rhetoric. We saw his likes in the 60s, 70s and 80s supporting Arafat and mercenaries against the Lebanese state. Take Assad for example Chris regularly voice his support for pres Butcher because in his damaged mind Assad is anti Israel. Of course we Lebanese know that after the USA the Syrian regime is Israel's best friend and vise versa. The regime made sure the occupied Golan is safe and secure for Israel to build exclusive ski resorts and Israel made sure to put the Syrian army in charge of Lebanon north of the Litani river even green lighting SAF's Sukhois to sent Aoun fleeing. In 82 the Syrians high tailed out to the Bekaa ahead of the invading Israelis, Sharon was very grateful he made the Syrians a baby, they called him Walid Muallem.

Thumb lebanesenationalist 05 February 2014, 18:41

Administrative decentralization is the way to go, and the best solution to the woes that Lebanon faces, especially the social and economic ones. The people of all sects and sides stand to gain from this, even if some don't realize it right now.

Thumb Mazen 05 February 2014, 19:32

old nasrallah
www.youtube.com/watch?v=T82VD8YsF6o

new nasrallah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWjgln7EBU0

Default-user-icon Phillip (Guest) 05 February 2014, 20:47

@theresistance, I am for free elections and whoever come as President, Prime Minister or Housespeaker is fine with me as long as the Lebanese in and outside Lebanon Vote. Anybody can be a candidate for any of those 3 Top posts no matter of their religion but I repeat the Lebanese should vote including outside the Country, so whoever wins gets the Job.

Missing VINCENT 05 February 2014, 21:52

If you want to co-exist, then make must make sure and convince the various sects in Lebanon not to take candy from various strangers with competing interests. If you want candy, make your own or find someone who would sell it to the entire country and is not laced with carcinogens.

Missing peace 05 February 2014, 22:56

you cannot coexist with hezbollah....

Thumb lebanese.hash 06 February 2014, 00:29

look at that they represent god and yet they make poltical treaties as if they are a political institution and they claim they are educated. and people tolerate the fact that a religious body mediates in poltics. SIgn of lack of hash and retardness. NOUH ZOUAITER should rule this country at least he has more brain and established more welfare in his region than those munks

Missing beirutbastard00 06 February 2014, 00:36

things really have to change. we cant constantly be heading towards war. plz let us live already. everyone that lived through thrme war says life was easier then! what is this ever constant threat of war we have to live through??

forget the politics for a minute, a can state can never be formed while a much stronger independent militia exists in the same country. either let the militia rule, or the state. but never will the two coexist.

Thumb lebanese.hash 06 February 2014, 00:44

so now you blame the Militia only turning a blind eye on Religion which is the main reason for the creation of a Militia eh???