Peace and reforms: Maronite bishops call on politicians 'to seize the unique opportunity' available to Lebanon

In conclusion of their monthly meeting on Wednesday, the Maronite bishops stated that they are "closely monitoring the acceleration of political and diplomatic events in the Middle East and assessing their impact on Lebanon."

"Our country has a unique opportunity to benefit from this path of peace and reforms that is opening up to it, as acknowledged by most nations," they continued, calling on "Lebanese political leaders to take the firm measures that the Lebanese expect from them for the recovery of the state and its monopoly over all vital issues."

Since the last conflict between Hezbollah and Israel in 2023-2024, the question of the state's monopoly over arms has been acutely raised, as it is a demand of the international community and several Lebanese actors. Economic recovery and reforms are also on the agenda for the new government.

Maronite bishops, gathered at the Maronite Patriarchate headquarters in Bkerkeh under the chairmanship of Patriarch Bechara Rai, expressed their "satisfaction with the municipal elections, despite some problems." Lebanon is holding municipal elections three years late due to successive crises and the war. Three stages have already taken place, with the last one occurring Saturday in South Lebanon and Nabatiyeh. The prelates hoped that "the new councils (elected) will devote themselves to the development of the regions."

The Maronite bishops welcomed the lifting of U.S. sanctions on Syria, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump last week during his Middle East tour. They expressed hope that the potential improvement in the economy of that country could help alleviate the burden caused by the displacement of its population to Lebanon, which hosts more than one and a half million displaced Syrians since the beginning of the Syrian war in 2011.