Maronite Bishops Warn against Repercussions of Syria Strike
The Council of Maronite Bishops condemned on Wednesday the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria but rejected the use of force, saying the war should be resolved peacefully.
The war in Syria is “taking dangerous turns” since the alleged use of chemical weapons and threats to strike the country, said the bishops following their monthly meeting under Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi at his summer residence in Diman.
They urged the West and international organizations to beware of the consequences of attacks on the Syrian regime for its alleged use of the chemical weapons.
The bishops said in their statement that the war in Syria should be resolved “diplomatically and peacefully away from the use of arms.”
The United States has indicated it is prepared to go ahead with military action on the regime of President Bashar Assad without U.N. approval, but President Barack Obama is first seeking approval from Congress.
The statement lauded Lebanese expats who have visited the country in the summer despite “the wars and turmoil in the region in addition to paralysis in Lebanon, which have negatively affected tourism.”
The bishops reiterated the need for “the formation of a cabinet capable of confronting dangers.”
The council meeting was partly attended by Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati, who later attended a lunch banquet and held closed-door talks with al-Rahi.
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