Maronite Bishops Lament Lebanon's Slide from "Bad to Worse"
 

The Council of Maronite Bishops has unleashed its annual appeal, warning that deepening political, social and economic crises combined with 27 years of Syrian tutelage were threatening Lebanon with "extinction."

The powerful appeal from Diman, the summer residence of Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir, addressed rampant corruption and the political bickering among leaders which were pushing conditions "from bad to worse" on all fronts.

The statement referred to a spiraling debt expected to reach up to $35 billion, unemployment and political squabbles "that often turn sectarian" as indicators of the deterioration. It said theft was on the rise and noted the scandal at Al-Madina Bank, which "proved that not even the banking sector, despite all the precautions, is immune."

The bishops complained of election laws that are imposed on citizens a few weeks before the polls, preventing a true representation in Parliament.

In the past year, the bishops have noted "a weakening of patriotic sentiments," and the disintegration of parties and civil society leagues. More importantly, there have been signs of "extremism" among the youth, "reminiscent of the mood that preceded the civil strife."

Other complaints included "a feeling among some citizens that they are unwanted in their own country," and the "disregard to many articles of the Taif Accord," which provided a power-sharing formula that ended the civil war.

The bishops were markedly tactful in their criticism of relations with Syria, saying: "No sane person would accept to remain under tutelage all his life."

"This tutelage, which has continued for 27 years, has made the Lebanese feel that they are unable to shoulder the responsibilities," the statement said.

"Lebanon is melting away, little by little," it said. "But we do not wish for the day to come when it shall be said that its extinction was caused by the closest neighbor."

Beirut, Updated 05 Sep 03, 13:49