The Lebanese Kataeb party announced on Monday a period of mourning over the passing of Patriarch Emeritus Nasrallah Sfeir, ordering that flags be flown and half mast at the party's offices nationwide.

In a statement issued following its weekly meeting, the Kataeb's politburo called for a wide participation in the Patriarch’s funeral on Thursday in Bkirki, hailing the late cardinal as a great national figure.

“He has been deeply engraved in the people’s conscience and in the history of this nation, becoming a symbol of freedom and faith in Lebanon," read the politburo statement. "He stood in the face of occupation, injustice and violation of sovereignty."

“This Patriarch turned all dreams into reality. He always spoke up the truth with strength."

Turning to the appeal that the Kataeb bloc submitted to the Constitutional Council last week along with other lawmakers to contest the government's power plan, the politburo stressed that the challenge is aimed at ensuring the proper and flawless implementation of the plan in accordance with transparency standards, legal norms and constitutional rules.

“It is not aimed at obstructing the power plan as some are claiming,” it affirmed.

The Kataeb party also voiced deep concern over the tension prevailing over the Gulf region which is threatening security and peace in the region, condemning the recent sabotage attacks on four UAE commercial ships near the country's territorial waters in the Gulf of Oman.