The Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Beirut, Mgr. Elias Audi. (Credit: Archive photo NNA)
The Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Beirut, Mgr. Elias Audi, criticized the attitude of the various political parties during his Sunday homily, accusing them of being ''focused on their own interests'' rather than those of the country. This comes after nearly a month of open warfare on Lebanese territory between Hezbollah and Israel, triggered by the Israeli army’s expanded offensive launched on Sept. 23.
''Without the election of a president who carries Lebanon’s cause internationally, a foreign actor will take on this mission,'' he warned, as for the first time on Friday, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati spoke out against comments made by Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf. In an interview published the day before, Ghalibaf suggested that Tehran was ready to negotiate a ceasefire in Lebanon with Paris based on the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
''Instead of focusing on the common good, everyone is concerned with their personal interests, letting the country sink along with its people,'' lamented Mgr. Audi, while stressing the urgency of reaching an agreement on the presidential election, with nearly two years of vacancy since the end of Michel Aoun’s term on Oct. 31, 2022.
''By delaying like this, we risk losing a Lebanon already in ruins and jeopardizing its future. [...] If we cannot rebuild our authority, how will we make our voice heard?'' he said.
''The responsibility to save Lebanon falls on the Lebanese themselves. It is shameful to shift this responsibility onto foreign powers,'' he added, urging parliamentarians to fulfill their constitutional duty without waiting for the influence of external powers.
