Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, said that he felt ashamed whenever he met with foreign delegations who would plead with Lebanon to elect a president of the republic. “I am ashamed of how officials in Lebanon are destroying their country with their own hands, as if political action is for destruction, and this is not true…” he said. The Patriarch’s words came during his visit to the town of Qobayat-Akkar on Saturday, at the invitation of the head of the Maronite Archdiocese of Tripoli and the North, Bishop Youssef Soueif, as part of the activities of the Apostolic Youth Days. Al-Rahi stressed that the future is in the hands of the youth despite the difficult days and circumstances, “for our youth are able to face the challenges, and we are with them, and this is the purpose of these meetings that take place in various Lebanese regions,” he added. “The political crisis in which we are living is the root of all other economic, daily-living, and developmental crises, and there are many young people who leave because of these crises, but the history of Lebanon is a history of steadfastness, and our youth are determined to stand firm and survive, so be confident that with our solidarity together, our transcendence over wounds, and our unity, Lebanon will regain its health, dignity and pioneering role,” the Patriarch assured.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon