Maronite bishops support 'the Lebanese state in implementing 1701'

The assembly of Maronite bishops reaffirmed on Wednesday their support for "the Lebanese state in its efforts to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701," encouraging it to "extend its sovereignty over the entire Lebanese territory and maintain the monopoly on arms, so that Lebanon becomes an area of security, calm, and peace."

Resolution 1701, adopted by the Security Council to end the war between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006, was the basis for the cease-fire agreement between the two parties in 2024, following fighting that began in October 2023. It stipulated, among other things, the disarmament of armed groups and the deployment of the Lebanese army over the entire national territory.

The Maronite bishops were participating in their monthly meeting chaired by Maronite Patriarch Béchara Rai, at the patriarchate headquarters in Bkirki (Kesrwan). They notably expressed satisfaction with the recent appointments made by the government. These appointments involved key Maronite positions, such as the army commander in chief and the governor of the Central Bank. They had been continuously delayed due to the presidential vacancy, which ended last January with the election of Joseph Aoun as head of state.

The prelates advocated for an acceleration of negotiations between the executive authorities and global financial institutions to find solutions to the socioeconomic crisis that has been shaking the country for years. Lebanon is in particular talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

On the political level, they considered that the implementation of the Taif Agreement and the reassessment of some of its shortcomings are "of great importance," provided that "internal strife and overbidding are set aside, considering only the national interest and the well-being of citizens." They seem to refer to some calls to abolish political sectarianism and proposals to change the electoral law proposed by the right-hand man of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, aiming for a parliament elected on non-sectarian bases, with the creation of a Senate where communities would be represented. This proposal raises concerns at the level of minorities.

The bishops finally welcomed the idea of opening a second airport in Qleiaat (Akkar), promised by the government of Nawaf Salam, "which would be an advantage for travelers and traders." The opening of a second airport in Lebanon is a long-standing demand, which resurfaces notably whenever the security of Beirut airport and the road leading to it are brought into question, as during the last war between Israel and Hezbollah.