Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai during the monthly meeting of Maronite bishops on May 4, 2022. (Credit: NNA)
BEIRUT — The Maronite bishops on Wednesday called on the Lebanese to vote in large numbers in legislative elections, happening May 15. They also warned of “security disruptions” which could compromise the holding of the vote in Lebanon.
Here’s what we know:
• The bishops' statement “encourages all citizens to participate in the elections in large numbers,” in a press release published after their monthly meeting, chaired by Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai.
• They then warned of a “phenomenon of disruption of security, from one region to another, especially in view of the homicides which occur almost every day,” calling on officials and security forces to do their best to control the security situation. The bishops added that “those responsible” should eliminate “any obstacle that stands in the way of the legislative elections on May 15 and liberate the voters and candidates from the successive pressures which jeopardize the proper holding of this election.”
• The Maronite bishops also denounced “the procrastination of officials” in regard to the International Monetary Fund’s preliminary agreement with Lebanon for $3 billion. Lebanese authorities agreed to undertake "several critical reforms" before the IMF board meeting, but have so far dragged their feet.