The 7^th Appeal of the Patriarch: September 6, 2006

7^th Appeal

We have been issuing about this time , since year 2000, an appeal addressed to our children and Lebanese brothers, specially Christians, reviewing with them the social and political situation we have been facing together yearly, for six years.

We were trying, in every appeal, to strengthen the weakened will and revive the waning hope in the souls of the Lebanese who were facing hardships, mainly the feeling of despair for not being able, in their own country, to decide their country's affairs. An upper hand, above theirs, disposes of the country's destiny and takes them to where they don't want to go. We thank God that this feeling has diminished after that the hegemony, most Lebanese were complaining about, had come to an end.

First : National Problems

1 – No national sharing

But now, there are several problems which make us all feel, despite ending of the hegemony, that we are still suffering from unexpected problems which appear on the Lebanese scene. It is this division in ranks, which partitioned the Lebanese into factions hacking each other to pieces, sometimes under veil some other time openly. Each faction pretends to be willing good of Lebanon, but in fact it is seeking its own partisan interest rather than the interest of all Lebanese. This is a chronic disease we must get rid of, if we want our country to be secure, tranquil and prosperous.

The symptoms of this disease appear on the level of the presidential authority, specially in this critical phase the country is going through. The political balance on which conviviality is founded has disappeared. Thus, Christians felt that their participation in making the destiny of the country, has become marginal because of the absence of the role played by the first presidency whose occupant is considered to shepherd political life and arbitrate between the Lebanese. How painful it is for the Lebanese, specially among them Maronite Christians, to see international authorities and all the country political leaders boycott this presidency. Boycotting it has made the country lose the needed political balance, which is an essential factor of tranquility for all Lebanese. This state of affairs will erase with time, the prestige and efficiency of the first presidency, hence this situation should be treated.

2- Individual selfishness

The high national interest is achieved by bringing over into the country's posts of responsibility appropriate people. They are those who submit to a democratic competition instead of rushing and wrangling to attain these posts. That's why it is up to the Maronite , to whom goes the post of the first presidency, to comply with the competition principles, on condition this competition be restricted to persons enjoying competence, experience, a spirit of sacrifice, moral and ethical abilities qualifying them to this post.

It is true that ambition is a human characteristic, natural and commendable, on condition that the ambitious' attributes qualify him to the post he is ambitioning . He must not, above all, make of the presidency a tool which makes it easy to those with aims and ends, be they individuals, factions or countries, to use it for their private interests, not for the interests of the country and all its citizens. Otherwise , the presidency's privileges will be used for ends far away from the interests of the Lebanese. The presidency is a lofty post which requires from the one called upon to occupy it, competence, experience, impartiality , independence, ability to rise above pettiness and sacrifying for the service of the citizens.

3 – Faction selfishness

We see this selfishness decimating factions and communities. So, each of them , instead of cooperating and supporting each other in constructing the homeland and strengthening its situation, we see them competing and struggling for their own benefit and the benefit of their followers , as if the homeland belonged to them alone with no partners. In such a situation, the State and its institutions become the victims of this struggle. Thus, the leaders of each community endeavor to mass the greatest possible number of their followers and protégés , in the governmental posts and offices, more than the State needs, be they competent, and suitable or not for these posts . The only condition is that he be a member of his community and owe allegiance to the one who appointed him in his post. This is corrupting morals and offices, spoiling governmental institutions and strengthening favoritism.

Lebanon is envied for being the homeland of minorities which live together in security, peace and love, despite the different sects and religions. They are supposed to be striving each one, for the common national good, while the world is divided into religious and sectarian groups, wrestling with one another, carrying out bomb explosions which cause in one blow, hundreds of innocent casualties, spreading fear in many countries, small and large. This puts people in a state of permanent fear about their security, tranquility and life. The thing that nourishes this fear is that terrorist groups, in some countries, do not refrain from killing innocent civilians. They are pleased to commit suicide , in order to attain a desired goal, as assured by some informed people.

4 – Unilateral decision

There are in Lebanon eighteen communities which enjoy alike rights and have obligations, as stipulated by the Lebanese constitution. This about the legal side. But in fact, there are groups who take unilateral decision. They lead the country to where it does not want to, there in lies the greatest calamity. This was repeated more than once.

Every time a group or a community takes a unilateral decision , that has consequences on the country, it brings curses over it. Examples are numerous and were repeated at least four times in half a century during the last years. First time in 1958 , a series of unilateral national decisions taken by some group who approved Bagdad's alliance and Eizenhower's plan. The thing which led to the first explosion. In a following phase, other group took position, considering Palestinian organizations as their army. They surrendered to the Palestinian resistance Lebanese soil to the disadvantage of national sovereignty , then happened the second explosion. Lately, a Lebanese group unilaterally kept carrying its arms after that most of the South was liberated in the year 2000. This was against the resolutions of the Taef agreement which was held in 1989 . This group developed into a religious, military and political organization. The result was the war on July 12, 2006. In each case quoted above, there were powers, great or regional , which interfered in the Lebanese question backing this or that community. Every time, with the dangerous side effects which took place in less than half a century, the homeland paid out of its security, prosperity and tranquility of its children, the price of the unilateral decision taken by this community , or that group of Lebanese. The decision should be in the hand of the State alone, for it represents all the Lebanese. This is a matter acknowledged in all countries, specially when the matter has to do with war and peace .

Secondly : Our situation

1- Solidarity

The "storm" which struck Lebanon has left a destruction which would take long years to repair, and damages estimated at more than fifteen billion American dollars, not mentioning the casualties among whom there are children in low age. Besides, the expulsion of the inhabitants from entire villages and towns which were left by their townspeople. When they were allowed to return, after thirty three days of violent battles, they found that, not less than fifteen thousand houses, have been reduced to ruin. There were no bridges along roads, no telephone and electric wires, while the country was entirely subjected to a continuous sea, air and land blockade, with the continuation of violating its sovereignty and the feeling of humiliation and degradation.

But the thing which gives some consolation to the Lebanese is that they faced the aggression and calamity mutually and in solidarity. The citizens in the regions that were not hit welcomed their Lebanese brothers from all communities, thus, Lebanese brotherhood was shown at its best. The afflicted ones felt the links which attach them to their Lebanese brothers , whatever is their religion, links of citizenship stronger than trials and catastrophes. They shared food, drinks, worries and hopes. They all felt that they were children of one homeland.

There is also another encouraging phenomenon. Some wealthy citizens took the initiative of helping humanitarian institutions and undertook to pay the cost of rebuilding the bridges destroyed in their area. This phenomenon , which shows generosity, covered almost all Lebanese regions. This, beside the local and world humanitarian institutions which rushed humanitarian aid to the various Lebanese regions. Besides, some brotherly Arab States and friends offered great sums of money for the rebuilding of some destroyed Lebanese towns and villages and extended a helping hand to help Lebanon rise up. They deserve total thanks for this humane feeling which they showed towards devastated Lebanon.

2 – Shaken confidence

One of this war's results was that many Lebanese left their county. Most of them are qualified young people who left, with grief in the heart and tears in the eyes, perhaps to never return. They cannot face, every ten years, the destruction of what had their fathers built and lose what their efforts have reaped.

Thirdly : Our aspiration

1 – Recover lost confidence

Although this situation is very severe, it cannot make the Lebanese give in. He who read Lebanese's history, saw that the citizens of this small country have never lived at ease. They were, and are still, a subject of contention for their neighbors and brothers and the goal of their ambitions and greed. They belittled it, mocked it and ignored its destiny, but soon they regretted what they had done, for it was for them the university, literary club, hospital , creativity , intellectual and poetical achievements.

Thus, we call upon our children and Lebanese brothers, specially among them the southerners to renew their confidence in their small country. It was described as being an example of democracy and conviviality between Moslems and Christians in a time, when terrorism divided people into pursuers and pursued, lying in wait for each other fearing each other. They made of this world a hell, while God wanted it a place of tranquility and peace for them till He calls them to share with Him His happiness in the after world.

2 – The authority of the State

Alone the State inspires confidence and tranquility in the citizens' souls. Those who run its affairs are those elected by the people to legislate, enact laws, conclude treaties and other matters. The parliament, which is supposed to be a result of properly run electoral operations represents the different and varied Lebanese people's views. There should be alternation in power as wanted by independent electors. Lebanese must keep in mind that their only savior is a strong and just State run by men and women with moral, scientific and patriotic qualifications above all suspicion. If only the Lebanese could be convinced to do as their predecessors did at the beginning of independence. There were two blocks joined by all the Lebanese of all communities and sides. Each of both blocks used to take over power whenever circumstances allowed it.

We hope these trials have taught us to rely upon the State, not upon petty states, based on strong foundations, holding responsibility for all the citizens, and not seek , against our co-citizens, foreign support wherever it comes from. This leads, necessarily , to the destruction of the home. Many are the examples and are obvious. It is the duty of such a State to shepherd equally all its children not preferring the followers of one community to others. It keeps the rights of all the citizens and communities to enjoy a true efficient participation in power, opening employment opportunity in the administration to all without discrimination of preference. This would help to avoid community dissension and to prevent the deprived or rejected from emigrating.

We call upon the State to hold total responsibility towards all the citizens of the afflicted South and work at developing and creating economic and development projects which would make Southerners hold their ground.

Wd also hope that the State takes care of distributing the aid received from States and humanitarian institutions, through the organizations and bodies under its control after rendering them efficient. Every aid made by an organization , party or a body besides the State, or without it, stirs many question marks the Lebanese put to themselves and to others.

Conclusion

Now that we have reached where we are, we see that it is the duty of the Lebanese , of all confessions and sides, to meet around a common decision, which is to concentrate upon their homeland Lebanon to dress its wounds , rebuild it on firm foundations away from hatred and petty covetousness . Lebanon has just come out of a very severe trial, making of it a center of concern of the international community which has stood by its side to help it stop the aggression against it and the bloodshed. Present Lebanon should benefit from the climate of international protection which should be strengthened by implementing international resolutions. All the more that such implementation will lead to terminate the liberation of its territory from occupation , restore its national sovereignty over all its land through its legal security forces which are able to protect its frontier from any enemy aggressions, to safeguard the formula of conviviality and to build the efficient and just democratic State.

But this requires that its citizens be at an equal distance from all of its neighbors and friends. Its communities are not to have allegiance to a country or another because the majority of its citizens have the same religion or confession as the members of that community.

Also, Lebanon must respect its constitution, laws and customs. It must realize that any transgression of the Constitution will result in a great imbalance, any violation of the laws will lead it to a dead end and any stepping over customs will yield disasters and break the balance established between its children and its communities. Repeated experiences and close to each other must have taught all of us that the policy of alliances is harmful to us , especially if it is adopted by a community, unilaterally and regardless of the State. We want to befriend all people in as much as they wish to befriend us. Thus, Lebanon will continue to be the country of knowledge, democracy, freedom and peace.

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Maronite bishops chastise Hizbullah, back Siniora
By Maroun Khoury
Daily Star correspondent
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Retrieved from the Daily Star on September 7, 2006

BKIRKI: Lebanon's influential Council of Maronite Bishops barely veiled its criticism of Hizbullah on Wednesday, saying some factions were monopolizing the country's decisions and leading the Lebanese to "unwanted situations."

In a strongly worded statement, the council, headed by Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir, called on the Lebanese to take full advantage and "benefit from the international embrace they are enjoying at the moment."

"There are 18 sects in Lebanon with equal rights and duties," the statement said. "But in reality, we see that some groups are monopolizing the decision-making process and leading the country to unwanted situations."

Referring to Hizbullah, the council said: "A Lebanese faction continues to bear weapons despite the Israeli withdrawal from most of the South in 2000. This continues to be in violation of the Taif Accord."

"This group has become a religious, military and political organization and led us to a war that was launched on July 12, 2006," the council added.

"Powerful countries and regional forces have also interfered more than enough in Lebanese affairs and are backing one sect or another."

The council said that despite the end of Syria's tutelage over the country, there are still many problems and divisions among the Lebanese.

"Each party pretends to seek Lebanon's interests, but in reality it seeks to fulfill sectarian ambitions. This is a chronic disease that has to be extracted," it stated.

Slamming the presidency, the council said: "Sectarianism's symptoms are embedded in the presidential post at this time in particular."

It added that the Christians have become "marginalized due to the absence of an efficient role of the presidency."

"The Christians, particularly the Maronites, are hurt by world leaders and local political figures' disregard of the Lebanese presidency," it said. "This weakens the status of the presidency and needs a solution."

But it cautioned that not any Maronite is eligible to replace President Emile Lahoud, insisting that the future president should be "prepared to sacrifice much to serve the nation as a whole and not use the post for personal gain."

"Lebanon is considered a nation of minorities that coexist in peace and love and thrive for the common national good," the statement said.

Shoring up support for Prime Minister Fouad Siniora's increasingly embattled government, the council also called on the people to back their government "as the sole authority on Lebanese territory."

"Only the government can bring trust and reassurance to the citizens," it stated.

"The state has to be responsible for developing the South

and looking after the villagers there. It has to oversee the distribution of aid through the bodies it is monitoring," the appeal said. "It is the duty of every Lebanese to rebuild the country and swathe its wounds."

The council also called on the Lebanese to respect the country's Constitution.

"The Lebanese should know that any violation of the Constitution will lead to a major void," it said. - With Naharnet