An archive photo of Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai. (Credit: NNA)
BEIRUT — Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai reiterated his call for the parliamentary elections, scheduled for May 15, to be held on time during a homily delivered on the occasion of the feast day of Mar Maroun, the 4th century monk and founder of the Maronite Church.
Here’s what we know:
• In an address delivered before Lebanon’s president, speaker of parliament and prime minister, Rai said the Lebanese people “look forward to the [realization] of five priorities,” which he listed as: holding the parliamentary and presidential elections on time, uncovering the truth behind the Aug. 4, 2020 Beirut port explosion, accelerating reforms and reaching an agreement with the International Monetary Fund, implementing the 1989 Taif Agreement that ushered an end to the Lebanese civil war, and achieving Lebanon’s neutrality.
• The Maronite Patriarch once again called for the UN to convene an international conference on Lebanon, an idea he had championed in early 2021.
