Maronite Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi affirmed that "evil has increased on the land of Lebanon and the need for redemption is urgent," indicating that "the wife of Pascal Sleiman changed the prevailing and inflamed discourse, which is one of revenge, retribution, and rumors, creating a heated atmosphere, and she called for trust in the security apparatuses, especially the army, which managed through its intelligence to uncover the circumstances of the kidnapping and assassination, trusting in the judiciary and not politicizing it."
In his sermon during the funeral of the Lebanese Forces’ coordinator in Jbeil, he stated that "mercy and justice are inseparable, yet there can be no forgiveness without justice. Based on this principle, the wife of the deceased said, 'We are the children of no fear,' and did not express what we hear today, morning and evening, in terms of revenge or killing or accusations but forgave silently according to her faith culture, leaving the decision of justice to the judiciary."
Al-Rahi lamented that "the perpetrators of the crime are among the displaced who were welcomed by Lebanon with all human spirit, but some behave in an inhuman manner and have become a danger to the Lebanese in their own homes. It has now become urgent to find a final solution to regulate their presence with local and international parties, away from clashes that may have dire consequences." He emphasized that "it is the government's duty to address the issue of displacement legally, for Lebanon, burdened by its economic crises, cannot bear the additional burdens of half its population."
He added, "Commentators agree that the main reason for this covered crime of kidnapping and assassination in a safe area is the failure to elect a president, leading to a state of chaos in institutions and the spread of arms. Who benefits from this chaos in the arms, the administrations of the state, and the decision of war and peace outside of the state?"
Al-Rahi pointed out that "we are children of hope, for this reason we are not afraid, but evil has increased on the land of Lebanon, along with the logic of revenge, incitement, rumors, and the creation of accusations."
Pascal Sleiman's body arrived from the Hospital of Our Lady of Help to St. George’s Church in Jbeil, where fireworks were set off, and the crowds applauded upon his entrance into the church. Several members of the Lebanese Forces’ parliamentary bloc approached the coffin and carried it on their shoulders.
Also present at the church were Maronite Patriarch Bechara Al-Rahi, Mufti Ali Amin, former President Michel Sleiman, MP Strida Geagea representing the leader of the Lebanese Forces Samir Geagea, political, social, partisan, and religious figures, as well as a large number of popular delegations, all under strict security measures.
Car caravans of supporters of the Lebanese Forces headed from Beirut to Jbeil earlier today amidst tight security. Patriarch Al-Rahi will lead the funeral service for Sleiman's soul at St. George’s Church in Jbeil at one o'clock in the afternoon, before transferring the deceased to his hometown of Mifouq, where he will be buried in the family tombs at Our Lady of Ilige.
