Rahi Raises Concerns over Naturalization of Palestinians

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi on Saturday voiced concerns over attempts to naturalize the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, and stressed that calls for an emergency government were not meant to eliminate any political party.

In remarks he made to Liban Libre radio station from Canada, Rahi “voiced fears over naturalization attempts of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.”

The United States decision early in September to cut funds for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees has sparked fears of naturalizing them in host countries.

On the delay in forming a Lebanese government, Rahi defended his call for a “slimline crisis government,” saying it “was not meant to eliminate any of the political parties.”

“The country is on the verge of the abyss,” said the Patriarch, noting that he had not invited the conflicting Christian leaders for a meeting in Bkirki because “they did not seem to want to,” he said.

“The stalemate is not only Christian,” added the Patriarch referring to the disagreement between the Lebanese Forces and Free Patriotic Movement over ministerial portfolios. He said other obstacles related to the “Muslim, Sunni and Druze representation are there.”

“Conflict between the Christian brothers is over the size (ministerial quotas),” noting that disagreements emerge when the Constitution is not applied.