In a monthly meeting held today in Bkerke, the Maronite Bishops' Council, under the chairmanship of Patriarch Bechara Al-Rahi, addressed several pressing national issues ranging from government formation to security challenges and economic stability.

Following their meeting, the Maronite bishops issued a statement hailing the election of General Joseph Aoun as President, voicing relief that the latter's inaugural speech was welcomed both locally and internationally. The council further commended the designation of Judge Nawaf Salam to form a new government, emphasizing his commitment to the president’s vision.

“Salam has committed himself to the president’s vision, laying the groundwork for his work based on key principles, including the application of uniform standards in dealing with all parties and ensuring that no ministries are monopolized by any one group," the statement said. 

In a call for immediate governmental action, the bishops urged the prime minister-designate to “remain strictly committed to these declarations, to form a government as soon as possible, and to assemble a specialized and cohesive reform-oriented team capable of rebuilding the state in accordance with Lebanon’s Arab and international commitments as well as the needs of its people.”

The council also expressed "deep regret and strong condemnation" over the poor implementation of the ceasefire agreement in the south, calling on the international community to apply necessary pressure on all parties involved and to ensure that Israel withdraws from the area. The bishops also urged the Lebanese state to deploy the army across all territories and secure sufficient support for reconstruction efforts, enabling displaced citizens to return to their homes soon.

Security concerns extended beyond the south as the bishops voiced grave alarm over the growing instability in Beirut and other regions, citing “politically motivated street movements, random gunfire in civilian areas, as well as rising incidents of theft, looting, and murder”. The statement called on security agencies and the judiciary to “take firm measures to deter violators and criminals, ensuring security and stability across Lebanon.”

Economic issues were not left unaddressed as the council highlighted the ongoing detrimental impact of cross-border smuggling.

“The bishops are closely monitoring with great concern the ongoing smuggling of goods across illegal Lebanese-Syrian border crossings, which continues to exacerbate Lebanon’s already bleeding economy,” the statement read, urging Lebanese and Syrian authorities to intensify monitoring efforts and end these violations. 

In addition to political and security concerns, the bishops turned their attention to the agricultural sector after receiving a briefing from Engineer Louis Lahoud, Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture. Emphasizing the sector's critical role in ensuring food security, they underscored the need for increased investment in agricultural land, the limitation of land sales, and support for farmers to remain on their lands and contribute to balanced national development.