Maronite Patriarch warns of land sales and border security in Lebanon

Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Boutros al-Rahi has issued warnings regarding several critical issues facing Lebanon, including land ownership, border security, and the worsening economic crisis.

Addressing the sale of real estate, the Patriarch urged citizens not to rush into selling land, describing it as “memory, roots, identity, and future.” He cautioned that land lost today may be impossible for future generations to reclaim. These warnings come amid growing concerns among Christian communities regarding potential demographic shifts in areas such as Mount Lebanon, particularly in Baabdat, Metn, and Keserwan, though no organized political plan for such changes has been proven.

On national security, Al-Rahi highlighted the danger of weapons and explosives smuggling along Lebanese borders. He stated that any breach in border control poses a direct threat to citizen security and national stability, emphasizing that securing the borders is essential to protecting the entire country.

Furthermore, the Patriarch addressed the severe social and living conditions in Lebanon, questioning how families can survive without basic necessities and how youth can find a future amidst the mounting economic burdens placed on citizens.