Rai: Peace and stability are essential pathways to save Lebanon

Cardinal Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rai received lawyer Eli Murr, head of the "Change" movement, at the patriarchal residence in Dimane, accompanied by a delegation including Eli Feghali, Shafiq Bader, Samia Khudaj, Claudine Hayaik, Bassam Kheir Aga, Michel Murr, Gaby Ayyoub, and Milad Ayyoub. They discussed the general situation in the country and the challenges facing Lebanon today, particularly the need to consolidate state authority, strengthen constitutional and security institutions, work toward creating conditions for stability and peace, and protect Lebanese citizens from the repercussions of regional conflicts.

Murr emphasized "the importance of the national role played by Bkerke in supporting the state's journey," commending "the patriarch Rai’s positions in support of President General Joseph Aoun and legitimate institutions," and stating that "this phase demands moving from positions to concrete actions that enhance the state’s presence and its ability to fulfill its responsibilities."

The meeting addressed the situation in the south and the necessity of finding a solution that safeguards Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while ensuring stability for its people, stressing the importance of activating political and diplomatic efforts and implementing relevant international resolutions to prevent further wars, human and economic losses, and waves of migration.

It was also reaffirmed that the Lebanese Army and legitimate security institutions play a central role in protecting the nation and ensuring stability, and that preserving unity among Lebanese citizens and rallying around state institutions—free from sectarian and political divisions—is crucial.

The discussion also highlighted the importance of Lebanon’s relations with Arab and international partners and the need to leverage the support it receives from the Arab world and global community to stabilize the country, revive the economy, create favorable conditions for rebuilding affected areas—especially in the south—and enable displaced residents to return to their towns and villages safely and with dignity.

The participants stressed that "Lebanese citizens, regardless of their affiliations and components, are partners in one nation," and that this stage requires an inclusive national discourse that upholds everyone’s dignity, places Lebanon’s interest above factional concerns, and prevents any internal tensions from escalating.

In this context, emphasis was placed on protecting Lebanese workers in Arab countries and Gulf states, and strengthening Lebanon’s ties with its Arab environment, given the direct impact these relationships have on economic and social stability and on thousands of Lebanese families.

Patriarch Rai affirmed that "peace and stability constitute essential entry points for saving Lebanon and protecting its people and halting the hemorrhage of emigration," noting "the importance of continuing efforts to keep Lebanon neutral from regional conflicts," and underlining that "after peace is secured, we must continue international action and bring Lebanon’s neutrality issue before the United Nations."

Following the meeting, Murr issued a statement affirming "the importance of Bkerke’s stance and support for the President of the Republic." He said: "Hezbollah says: I will not hand over my weapons; Israel says: I will not withdraw until Hezbollah’s weapons are resolved. Thus, negotiations stall, and Lebanon remains stuck between two positions. But here we must pause at a fundamental point, because placing both sides on equal footing may give a misleading impression about the root of the problem and the responsibility of each party. The problem begins with the existence of weapons outside state control and with Hezbollah’s clear decision not to voluntarily relinquish them. This is not a minor detail in the equation, nor merely a political viewpoint that can be overlooked in settlements. It directly challenges the very idea of the state and its exclusive right to decide on war and peace. Claiming that Hezbollah’s weapons exist because Israel exists, and that Israel maintains its presence because Hezbollah’s weapons exist, describes a dangerous cycle—but it should not become a formula that excuses the party that first entrenched dual armed power or equates the logic of the state with that of a militia. Yes, the Israeli occupation of Lebanese territory must end, and Lebanon must have full sovereignty over every inch of its land. But simultaneously, there must be an end to any armed force outside state authority. Neither should be a price for the other. Israel’s withdrawal should not be the price for Hezbollah’s weapons remaining, nor should Hezbollah’s disarmament be a permanent condition for Israel’s continued presence on Lebanese soil. These two paths must remain clear and separate: full Lebanese sovereignty, war and peace decisions solely in the hands of the state. Most importantly, we must be honest with the Lebanese people: if an armed party openly declares it will never surrender its weapons, then negotiations face not only Israeli obstinacy but also a more serious Lebanese reality—a militia refusing to voluntarily give up its arms and seeking to remain part of the regional equation, even at the cost of perpetually paralyzing the state. Here, the greatest responsibility lies with Hezbollah—not because Israel is exempt from its duties, nor because any occupation can be justified—but because the establishment of the state implies the end of any armed group maintaining independent decision-making power apart from state institutions."

He added: "If Lebanon remains stuck between 'I will not surrender' and 'I will not withdraw,' this is not a settlement—it is an open deadlock leading to further losses. The real question is no longer who will act first? But why is Lebanon being held hostage to a formula where only one armed party has the power to break one of its most critical pillars? Even more alarming is the prospect of a day when the state becomes unable to enforce its sovereignty, while the continuation of conflict becomes a perpetual justification for keeping weapons, and the persistence of weapons in turn becomes a perpetual justification for ongoing threats and occupation. Therefore, Lebanon does not need a trade-off between its sovereignty and the militia’s arms, nor does it need to wait for one side to solve the other’s problem. Lebanon needs one state, one decision, one army under state authority, and a Lebanese land free of any foreign force. From Dimane, I address Your Excellency, the President of the Republic."

Murr addressed the President: "Your Excellency, we trust in you and in what you are doing. We know that the responsibility of this historic moment rests in your hands. Continue your efforts, persist, persevere, and carry the Lebanese initiative as far as possible—do not leave a door unknocked, a capital untouched, a chance unturned into a window for Lebanon. If saving Lebanon requires you to remain in the air, traveling from country to country, from capital to capital, until a solution ends this deadlock and opens the path to peace—then go ahead. We do not demand a specific step from you; we trust in your steps. Do what you deem appropriate, and we stand behind you. Bkerke stands with you, the people stand with you, the parties stand with you. This is a moment that does not require waiting, but courage to create what others could not. Your Excellency, move forward wherever you see Lebanon’s interest lies, go further than anyone expects. Lebanon awaits from you the opening of the path toward genuine peace."

Center for Educational Research and Development

Subsequently, the Patriarch received a delegation from the Center for Educational Research and Development, discussing educational affairs and the challenges facing Lebanon’s education sector amid current economic and social conditions.

The meeting underscored the importance of modernizing curricula to meet new educational needs, enhancing the school’s role in instilling national, humanitarian values, citizenship culture, and coexistence. It was reaffirmed that Lebanon’s revival begins with education, and that safeguarding the quality of education and supporting educational institutions and families ensures future generations’ right to quality education that opens doors to their future.

Shouf Economic Development Association

The Patriarch also received a delegation from the Shouf Economic Development Association, led by poet Antoine Saadeh, who thanked His Eminence for the reception and conveyed greetings from Sheikh Al-Aql of the Druze community, Sheikh Sami Abi-Manné.

The delegation affirmed that the association brings together members from nearly forty Shouf villages across different sects and orientations, reflecting the spirit of cooperation and coexistence characteristic of the Shouf region.

Association president Fadi Chami spoke about the importance of establishing peace and stability in Lebanon and the army’s role in protecting the nation, while several writers, intellectuals, and association members presented their works to His Eminence.

Retirees’ Delegation

The Patriarch also met with a delegation of retirees, discussing the social and economic hardships they face amid the ongoing economic crisis, declining purchasing power, and the resulting impacts on their lives and families.

The meeting emphasized the need to uphold retirees’ rights after years of service to the state and public institutions, and to ensure dignified living conditions that preserve their dignity and acknowledge their contributions during their service years.

Colonel Edgar Laundes

The Patriarch also received Colonel Edgar Laundes, Director General of State Security, along with senior officials from the Directorate, in the presence of Bishop Elias Nassar, the Patriarchal Vicar General.

The meeting covered security and social conditions, particularly the growing burdens on Lebanese citizens as the academic year approaches.

Colonel Laundes affirmed that "the State Security apparatus continues fulfilling its responsibilities and achieving results in combating corruption, despite limited resources and challenges faced by security agencies."

He stressed that "fighting bribery and corruption cannot be measured by the amount of the violation, but by principle—the necessity of respecting the law and not tolerating its non-application.” Bishop Nassar praised the State Security apparatus’s role in fighting corruption and enhancing citizens’ sense of safety and trust in institutions.

Meanwhile, Patriarch Rai highlighted the severe impact of the economic crisis on the Lebanese population, affirming that "people are exhausted," while Colonel Laundes congratulated him on the beatification of Patriarch Elias Boutros Hawi.