Al-Rahi: True hero not one who wages wars, but one who builds peace

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi said Friday that "war does not build a future, but rather destroys the present and steals tomorrow," calling for "rejecting the logic of violence and adhering to the logic of dialogue."

He added, in the southern city of Jezzine, that "the Lebanese are tired of wars, of killing and destruction, and of seeing their youth emigrate, and their life's work wasted, because a single bomb can destroy what has been built over many years."

He pointed out that "war is not a sign of strength; true strength lies in possessing reason and wisdom, and in the ability to engage in dialogue and understanding."

"It is shameful for us not to negotiate, because true dignity lies in sitting at the table of dialogue as equals, and seeking solutions that preserve everyone's dignity," al-Rahi said.

"Peace is the greatness of humanity, while war is the weakness of humanity. The true hero is not the one who wages wars, but the one who builds peace, and who works to unite people, not divide them," the patriarch added.