Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri rejected the campaigns of defamation against Maronite Patriarch Beshara Raï regarding his "sincere call to support Lebanese displaced persons." Berri stated, "His Eminence's call to support the displaced reflects a national, united, and missionary position. While I appreciate his call in this regard, we denounce the campaign against him due to a mere misunderstanding."
In another context, President Berri met with MP Fares Khazen, where they discussed the general conditions and the latest political and field developments, as well as legislative and public demands. After the meeting, MP Khazen noted the urgency of electing a president for the republic as soon as possible due to the significant national damage caused by the delay, especially in the current phase Lebanon is experiencing amidst the events in Gaza and the situation in the south, alongside the deterioration affecting all state institutions domestically. He highlighted that "despite the circumstances, the army is an institution that everyone is keen on, recognizing its national, military, and security role. We all know that the army is the shield of the nation; thus, maintaining this institution to fulfill its role is essential."
Khazen also expressed that "the criticism and abuse directed at the Maronite Patriarch through social media is something we cannot accept at all, as attacking Bkerke and its Patriarch is an affront to every honorable Lebanese who cares about Lebanon and its unity."
