Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai, Dec. 15, 2024 in Bkerke. (Credit: NNA)
BEIRUT — In his Sunday homily, the head of the Maronite Church, Patriarch Bechara Rai, emphasized that Lebanon needs "positive neutrality," which he said is a "political doctrine based on not aligning with one of the conflicting blocs regionally and internationally."
Rai has repeatedly emphasized the importance of positive neutrality in the past years.
His speech on Sunday coincides with the first day of the Gaza cease-fire deal. Many figures, including Rai, have considered that Hezbollah made a mistake by opening a front against Israel one day after the beginning of the war between Hamas and Israel in October 2023.
"Neutrality does not mean weakness, it is a need for Lebanon based on the National Charter," Rai said.
“The Lebanese feel relieved when they hear the principles that the President of the Republic will follow and the international promises to Lebanon, and they express their confidence in the Prime Minister-designate and wish him a speedy formation of the government," he added.
Former commander of the Lebanese Army Joseph Aoun was elected president on Jan. 9 following more than two years of presidential vacuum. Four days later, Aoun appointed former president of the International Court of Justice Nawaf Salam as Prime Minister after consulting with MPs.
In his homily, Rai recalled Aoun's oath speech in which the president "promised to practice positive neutrality and linked neutrality with exporting the best products, attracting tourists and achieving economic reform, which revives national unity and ensures stability, neutrality and prosperity."
Aoun and the First Lady Neemat Aoun visited the shrine of Saint Charbel on Sunday at the Mar Maroun Anaya monastery, where they were welcomed by the the head of the monastery Tannous Nemeh and a number of monks.
"Lebanon is not a country of domination, but it is more than a country, it is a message of freedom and Christian-Islamic coexistence, so for Lebanon to fulfill its role as a meeting point for cultures and religions, it should be neutral, positive and active," Rai said.
"Positive neutrality is a political doctrine based on not aligning with one of the conflicting blocs regionally and internationally with commitment to just causes in the world such as the right of peoples to independence. Neutrality is the basis of the National Charter and not an alternative to it, it is the best way out of Lebanon from its political, social and sectarian crises," he concluded.
Later on Sunday, the Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Beirut, Bishop Elias Audi, hoped that Salam will "form a government that will work in harmony to lead the country out of the dark tunnel toward freedom, true democracy, liberty, equality, citizenship and development," according to NNA.