Maronite Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi issued the following statement:

"With great pain, like all faithful Lebanese, I received the tragedy of the kidnapping and assassination of our dear Pascal Sleiman, the coordinator of the Lebanese Forces Party in the Jbeil district, within less than 24 hours.

We all hoped he would be alive, as was initially stated. But the bitter truth was otherwise. I resorted to prayer for the repose of his soul and the consolation of his family, as well as his comrades in the Lebanese Forces Party, led by Samir Geagea, the party's leader. In this delicate, politically, security, and socially tense situation, we call for composure and self-restraint, urging the judiciary and security forces to do their duty and impose the harshest penalties on the criminals. We also request the media, with appreciation, not to spread misleading interpretations and ignite the flames of sedition.

In this delicate and tense political, security and social circumstance, we call for caution and restraint, asking the judiciary and security forces to do the necessary duty and impose the harshest punishments on criminals. We ask the media not to spread misleading interpretations. 

His grieving wife gave the Lebanese a great example with her reaction: “We are children of the Resurrection, the children of hope,” as she did not utter any words of revenge or killing.

May God protect Lebanon and its people from evildoers."