The Maronite Bishops' Council on Wednesday voiced serious concern over the escalating violence in Gaza and southern Lebanon, warning that these conflicts could escalate into widespread violence driven by foreign powers to serve interests unrelated to Lebanon.

Following their monthly meeting chaired by Maronite Patriarch Bechara Al-Rahi at the summer patriarchal residence in Dimane, the bishops emphasized that peace and stability in Lebanon depend on the effective implementation of United Nations resolutions, particularly Resolution 1701, which they considered crucial for restoring calm and security.

Given the ongoing dangers and the severe situation in southern Lebanon, the bishops reiterated their call for Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri to convene consecutive parliamentary sessions until a new president is elected. They stressed that the State must mobilize all its institutions to address the current crisis effectively and urged all parliamentary blocs to participate in this essential constitutional process.

The bishops also expressed concerns about "selective practices regarding the allocation of tax and fee revenues," arguing that such practices undermine fairness and justice in distributing rights among Lebanese citizens and fail to ensure that financial obligations are applied equally across all regions and social groups. Therefore, they called on the government to "correct this flawed anomaly" in accordance with the Lebanese Constitution.

Additionally, the bishops expressed dissatisfaction with the recurring problems and confusion surrounding recent official exams and their results, noting that these issues have persisted in recent years and are affecting students’ future prospects. The bishops warned that these problems would damage the reputation of Lebanon’s education system, which has long been renowned for its excellence.