Al-Rahi from Qaa: Only a Strong State Can Protect Lebanon
Maronite Patriarch visited the eastern border town of al-Qaa on Thursday and extended condolences to the families of the victims of the suicide bombings that rattled the town late in June.
“We are here to preserve the Christian-Muslim coexistence in the region and to confront terrorism which knows no religion,” said al-Rahi.
“We are here to thank the care of the Lord that saved the town of al-Qaa from detrimental outcomes worse than what happened,” he added.
Reiterating the significant role of the state and law in reinforcing the nation, Rahi said: “Nothing protects us but a strong, lawful and righteous state.”
The Patriarch voiced calls on the international community to stop the wars ravaging the region, he said: “We ask the international community to stop the wars in the region and return those displaced back to their homeland.”
In June, the restive town of al-Qaa was hit by two waves of attacks. Four suicide bombers targeted the town in a pre-dawn operation killing five and wounding 15 others, as another four bombers attacked the town in the evening and wounded 13 people.
Lebanon hosts more than 1.1 million Syrians, a huge burden for the country of four million people. Several Lebanese politicians have warned about the inability of the country to bear this burden and had already called for the closure of borders after security incidents.
Al-Qaa is one of several border posts separating Lebanon and war-torn Syria and is predominantly Christian although one district, Masharii al-Qaa, is mainly Sunni Muslim and home to a large number of Syrian refugees.
Suicide blasts in the area have typically targeted checkpoints or military installations and rarely include more than one attacker.
Source: Naharnet
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