Maronite Patriarch Bechara Al-Rahi expressed deep concern over the ongoing conflict with Israel, warning of the devastation left in the war’s wake and stressing the need for Lebanon to assert full sovereignty. Al-Rahi questioned Hezbollah’s role in the continued conflict, urging the group to reflect on the extensive toll their actions have taken on Lebanon, and called for political unity in establishing the state’s sovereignty.

“The suffering inflicted on Lebanon and its people has reached unbearable levels,” Al-Rahi said in an interview with Nidaa Al-Watan news platform, adding that Hezbollah should "draw lessons from this war" as it has led to mass displacement, high civilian casualties, and severe damage to the nation’s infrastructure.

“Thousands of innocent people have been killed, tens of thousands injured, and more than a million Lebanese displaced from their homes,” he said, pointing to what he described as a national crisis impacting both Christians and Muslims.

The Maronite patriarch condemned the damage done to southern border villages, emphasizing the plight of Lebanese civilians caught in the crossfire. Al-Rahi highlighted the need for Lebanon to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for a cessation of hostilities and the disarmament of armed groups south of the Litani River. However, he also alluded to other key international resolutions, including Resolutions 1559 and 1680, which call for the disbanding of all militias and the establishment of full Lebanese control over its borders.

Al-Rahi underscored the dangers of continued reliance on non-state armed groups, saying that “according to the Taif Agreement, Lebanon’s sovereignty requires that weapons be held solely by the Lebanese army.”

He argued that Hezbollah’s military capacity undermines the Lebanese state’s monopoly on the use of force, which has threatened Lebanon’s neutrality and dragged the country into regional conflicts beyond its control.

“Positive neutrality is part of Lebanon's political system. It allows us to live in peace, without involvement in the region’s endless conflicts. This is the only path for Lebanon’s survival as a land of dialogue, peace, and support for legitimate Arab causes.”

In Al-Rahi’s view, Lebanon’s ongoing political impasse has only exacerbated the challenges facing the country. He blamed not only political sectarianism but also what he described as "general corruption and poor governance" for Lebanon’s deteriorating state. While he refrained from assigning blame to one group alone, he noted the impact of "political Shiism" on Lebanon’s institutions, adding that “all of Lebanon suffers due to corrupt practices, delays in governance, and the crippling presidential vacancy.”

Al-Rahi urged Lebanese leaders to prioritize electing a president capable of addressing Lebanon’s leadership void and strengthening the state’s core institutions, including the military.

With Lebanese Army Commander General Joseph Aoun’s term ending in January, Al-Rahi emphasized the importance of steering the military command clear of disruption and void. 

“We cannot let the Lebanese Army suffer the same fate as the presidency," he said. "We won’t allow any tampering with the institution that is the cornerstone of Lebanon’s future. Void is dangerous, and appointing officials through a caretaker government in the absence of a president violates presidential powers, which we will not accept. Thus, our priority remains electing a president."

Al-Rahi’s words reflected a broader sentiment of urgency to restore the Lebanese state’s independence and to reinforce its capacity to make decisions free of foreign influence.

“We want an independent, sovereign nation, free from foreign control, foreign armies, or outside governance," he stated unequivocally. 

The Maronite Patriarch voiced alarm over the displacement of civilians, calling attention to the rising toll on the Christian community and the potential for sectarian fragmentation. He pledged the church’s support to Christian communities along the border, and called on international entities to advocate for their safety amid escalating violence.

“No Lebanese group or faction accepts the displacement of any community in our homeland,” he said, stressing the importance of national unity and communal resilience.

Al-Rahi urged the government to ensure that Lebanon’s unique sectarian diversity is preserved and to discourage the sale of land by urging people to “hold on to their properties” and maintain their ancestral ties to Lebanon.

Al-Rahi also touched on Lebanon’s emigration crisis, particularly among young Christians and Muslims seeking better opportunities abroad due to Lebanon’s economic collapse. He appealed to the government to stimulate the economy and encourage job creation to curb Lebanon’s brain drain. The church, he explained, has offered land and resources to support economic projects that create employment opportunities, but he warned that “only the state can provide a long-term solution.”

The Patriarch addressed a call for Lebanese expats abroad to maintain their civic ties to the country, urging them to register births, marriages, and deaths in local Lebanese consulates and embassies to safeguard their legal and voter status.

Al-Rahi conveyed cautious optimism about the role the United States might play in Lebanon’s future, expressing hope that newly elected President Donald Trump would respect Lebanon’s sovereignty. While welcoming Trump’s promises of regional solutions, Al-Rahi refrained from direct commentary on potential shifts in U.S. policy toward Iran and Hezbollah, focusing instead on the Lebanese people’s hope for an “independent and peaceful Lebanon.”

In a final message, Al-Rahi stressed his belief that Lebanon’s coexistence model remains resilient despite the current crisis.

“We hope Lebanon will enjoy sovereignty over all its territory, with its army and security forces unified, under a single political decision that reflects the will of all Lebanese who refuse to be pawns in foreign conflicts,” he said.