The Maronite League stated that "in the context of its careful monitoring of current events, along with the accompanying statements and media appearances, it was surprised by what it heard and read recently regarding the position of Bkerke and its leader, despite their earnest efforts to avert danger from Lebanon, for all its sects and denominations, and to keep it away from the quagmire of regional conflicts and disputes that have displaced its people to the far corners of the earth, destroyed its economy, and cast doubt on the permanence of this nation and its free national decision."
The League added in its statement today: "Patriarch Al-Rahi called on the international community to pay attention to Lebanon, based on more than one documented precedent, and urged Lebanese people to seek assistance after they were unable to meet and agree among themselves. He did not call for the deployment of any forces or for Lebanon to be placed under international guardianship, nor did he impose any external solutions, especially since he does not allow for the marginalization of any Lebanese sect nor any infringement on its rights, especially since he does not accept similar treatment toward the Christian component." The League condemned "any audacity to accuse the patriarchate, which has played a pivotal role in shaping the history of a sovereign, free, and independent Lebanon, from the formation of what was dubbed Little Lebanon (the Mutasarrifate), through the establishment of Greater Lebanon, up to today." It considered that "the Maronite League, which has supported and continues to support any rescue proposal put forth by the Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi to save the nation, is fully confident that any initiative led or blessed by him will ensure the safety of all the people of this nation and their rootedness in their land, as it is built on pure national calculations, far from any destructive external dependency or favoritism. It has long called and continues to call everyone today to return to rational, constructive dialogue, far from the language of destructive threats, especially since the revival of a better Lebanon requires only the armament of wisdom and conscience, starting from national principles, because Lebanon is a sovereign, free, and independent homeland, final for all its children."
