Rai: Only the army should protect the state

Maronite Patriarch Bshara Rai said during Christmas mass held Sunday at Bkerke that the country's security should be assigned to the State alone, calling for reinforcing trust in the armed forces.

On Monday, Beirut Deputies called for disarming Beirut from all illegal weapons, in order to control and preserve the security of citizens without the fear of sudden eruption of clashes.

"The State is obligated to ensure people's security, gather all arms, and limit security duties to it, which will therefore guarantee an arms-free Beirut and arms-free Lebanon," the Patriarch said to the attending crowd, which included President Michel Sleiman, Kataeb Party leader Amin Gemayel, Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun and other officials. Rai also alluded to strengthening judicial authority, while opting for its autonomy away from exterior influences.

"We aspire for justice that can be exacted by valiant and candid judges," he said, adding that no one had the right to obstruct or politicize justice. Rai called for granting general pardon to Lebanese citizens who were forced to flee to Israel, saying that the Lebanese should all be reunited.

On the other hand, the Maronite Patriarch Bshara Rai called for amnesty to those who were forced due to the circumstances to flee to Israel.