Dimane: The Maronite bishops held their monthly meeting at the patriarchal summer residence in Dimane, chaired by Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Boutros Al-Rai and attended by the superiors general of Maronite religious orders.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, in a statement read by Bishop Antoine Aoukar, the bishops strongly condemned Israeli military operations targeting towns, villages, and cities in southern Lebanon. They urged capable international powers to put a definitive end to these operations and called on all concerned parties to abide by the obligations of the framework agreement.
The bishops expressed concern over the gradual withdrawal of UNIFIL forces from southern Lebanon, whose mission is set to end in December. They called for an agreement on an alternative international or multinational force with a firm operational mandate, capable of supporting Lebanon's recovery of its territory up to the international border through its legitimate armed forces.
In addition, the bishops welcomed the abolition of the death penalty. They emphasized that this should be accompanied by stricter enforcement of the law to reinforce security and stability and prevent recourse to settlements, such as those adopted under the general amnesty law.
The bishops reiterated freedom as a fundamental principle underpinning Lebanon's existence and progress. They expressed hope that provisions in the new media law that could threaten this principle would be reconsidered to safeguard freedom of opinion and the rights of those expressing it.
They also praised those responsible for internal security and traffic enforcement amid the rise in road accidents and fatalities. The bishops stressed that current measures should be coupled with a stronger field security presence and strict monitoring.
With the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross approaching, the bishops concluded by praying for Lebanon's liberation from its internal and external hardships and for its return to a path of stability and human dignity.