The head of the Maronite Catholic Church has called upon all non-government forces to disarm, in a pointed message to the militants of Hezbollah.
During Christmas Mass in Bkerke, Patriarch Bechara Rai called for a “demilitarized” Beirut, and said that all weaponry should be “under the sole control of the legitimate forces of Lebanon.”
Hezbollah is the only force in Lebanon that has resisted calls for disarmament.
During his homily at Christmas Mass-which was attended by most of Lebanon’s prominent political leaders - the Maronite Patriarch also called for an end to corruption in government and for clear civilian control over the armed forces.