Patriarch Rai: Political greed will be the end of Lebanon

 
Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Beshara Boutros Rai said on Wednesday the Bkerke National Charter focuses on coexistence and national reconciliation, stressing that electing a new president is proof of Lebanon's respect to democracy and the concept of power rotation.

Patriarch Rai said the church is considering the country's future in a realistic manner, stressing that the church cannot stand idly by as threats continue to mount.                      
Rai warned officials from taking decisions based on greed and hunger for power since that would only result in the demise of Lebanon.

Patriarch Rai stressed the importance of distancing Lebanon from all regional crises, and adhering to the Baabda Declaration, pointing out that the church considers that committing to Lebanon’s national interest is the only policy to end the current discourse.

On another note, Rai emphasized the necessity of distancing Lebanon from the Syrian crisis in order to maintain confessional pluralism in Lebanon.

Rai also called for implementing the policy of equality in governance and administration in a bid to lift the cover of corruption and nepotism, adding that the Taif agreement should be put in force after clarifying the prerogatives of the president.

Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Beshara Boutros Rai said during the periodic meeting of the Maronite Bishops Council that the Bkerke National Charter aims at pulling Lebanon out of its current crisis and preparing for the upcoming presidential elections.