Maronite Patriarch Beshara Raï stated, "We grieve and sorrow with the dear people of Ain Ebl after the killing of a beloved one who fought alongside them during the years of resilience and struggle, the late Elias Al-Hasrouni. We also mourn with the dear people of Khaltah after Fadi Baghani fell victim to the truck carrying weapons from Hezbollah, and it pains us to also see a victim from his ranks." In his sermon during the divine liturgy for the consecration of the altars of the Church of Our Lady of Compassion and the St. Charbel chapel in Qaqour, Raï emphasized, "We will not stray from the state nor slide into living without it and resorting to others."
Raï urged all components of the country and political parties to organize under the state's banner, particularly regarding the use of weapons, stating, "It is impossible to live on one land with more than one state, army, and authority." He added, "In this situation, as we face a new regional system that raises fears and concerns, we must steer clear of adventures and move towards electing a president of the republic as soon as possible, as there is no justification for not electing one since September. The president is the guarantor of reviving constitutional institutions and public administrations, upholding stability, and maintaining a formula for living together enriched by cultural and religious diversity, integration, cooperation, and mutual respect."
