A new warning from the Maronite patriarch, Cardinal Beshara al-Rahi, against a global community that wants to unload the issue of Palestinian and Syrian refugees on Lebanon, offering a financial contribution in exchange for their naturalization.

“We reject any type of international policy that tries to burden Lebanon with the price of everything that is going on in the region,” al-Rahi said.

“The danger lies in a rift among the Lebanese should (naturalization) occur,” the patriarch added, urging citizens to show unity in the face of any foreign pressures.

“Lebanon cannot bear the burden of the new policy represented in ‘the deal of the century’ and its negative repercussions,” al-Rahi said, referring to U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial peace plan for the Middle East.

The refugee issue is also part of a context of profound turbulence in the Land of Cedars. Anti-government protests escalated in mid-December, and not even the recent appointment of the new executive – vacant since 29 October – was enough to calm them.

On several occasions patriarchs and bishops have unsuccessfully recalled the ruling class to the sense of responsibility and the urgency to define a leadership for a country that is increasingly in danger of sinking.

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