Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rahi met with MP Ibrahim Kanaan at the Patriarchal See in Bkirki for 40 minutes. Kanaan stated after the meeting, "The main theme of my session today with His Beatitude the Patriarch is responsibility. Either we are in a state that has those who are genuinely and seriously responsible, or we are merely engaging in positions and theatrics, starting with the first file, which is war. The Lebanese people unanimously reject war, and there are international atmospheres that help prevent war. What practical measures are being taken? What is the actual course for implementing Resolution 1701 to protect our people in the south and Lebanon, alongside the rejection of the massacres taking place in Gaza, and complete solidarity with the Palestinian people suffering from Israeli violations? However, there is also the interest of the nation, and the decision that the state must take, in solidarity with everyone, and here lies the responsibility."
He added, "The second theme is the financial and social file, and the cries of the people that we hear regarding the black market. His Beatitude asked me about this issue. The mukhtars may head towards a strike in the coming days, as the official stamps that the state is supposed to print and distribute are missing, and the official financial stamps are distributed in the black market at astronomical prices, in front of ministries and state centers, with no action taken. Is this how responsibility is upheld? Shouldn’t a legitimate stamp be provided to alleviate people’s suffering, or should we suspend its use until it is provided legitimately? This cry launched by the mukhtars of Lebanon and citizens is not the responsibility of the legislator but of the government and the concerned ministers. We are ready to participate with them to alleviate the suffering of citizens, but the situation cannot be left as it is, without initiatives, or with superficial initiatives and the passing of responsibilities."
Regarding the presidential file, Kanaan said, "It is known that the obstruction extends to all ports, including local authorities if a president is not elected. What are we waiting for? Initiatives? While welcoming all initiatives, it is important to get to the core, and any dialogue should start from the constitution, which specifies how a president is elected. Our 'solution' after a year and a half of vacancy is to define our options and settle them in the Parliament. No one should close the door on any initiative, and Bkirki welcomes all initiatives, but we must not waste time, moving from week to week amid the erosion and decay that we see reflected in all financial, social, economic, and political files, as well as at the level of state institutions."
He concluded by saying, "This is my cry from Bkirki, which I share with many citizens, foremost among them His Beatitude the Patriarch." In response to a question about who protects the stamp mafia, Kanaan said, "Those who allow this mafia to continue. I have filed a complaint before the judiciary, and it is its duty to determine responsibilities and accountability, and the government has the obligation to provide official stamps; why go to the mafia instead of the legitimate market? This is where the investigation should start."
