SW News: In the wake of recent clashes between Israel and Lebanon, the head of the Maronite Church Cardinal Bechara Boutros al-Rahi has urged the Lebanese army to assume control of the southern part of the country, which is a stronghold of the Hezbollah militants.

During his homily on Sunday, the top prelate appealed to the army to strictly implement the UN Security Council Resolution 1701 in the south after taking control of the region. Cardinal al-Rahi said this is necessary to prevent the launching of missiles from Lebanese soil “not for the sake of Israel’s safety, but for the safety of Lebanon”.

The patriarch said that it was not at all acceptable that a political party takes decisions on war and peace. The Israeli Iron Dome defense system intercepted 10 of the 19 rockets fired from southern Lebanon on Friday. Six rockets fell in open areas near Har Dov near the border while the remaining rockets fell within Lebanon. There were no reports of casualties or injuries.

“We do not want to be involved Lebanon in military operations that provoke devastating Israeli reactions,” said Cardinal al-Rahi. He also added that the clashes were aimed at diverting attention from the sanctity and solemnity of the Mass of the martyrs and victims of the 2020 Beirut port blast when its first anniversary was celebrated last week.

"We ask officials and politicians: How will you convince the people that you are qualified to lead them towards salvation, and every day you plunge them into a new crisis? How will you convince the world that you are worthy of help while you do not care about the international conferences dedicated to the relief of the Lebanese and which are ready to save Lebanon? How will you convince yourselves that you were up to the level of responsibility and hopes? Is there any humanity in you to feel with people in their misery?” the patriarch said.