Lebanese cardinal likens nation's situation to communist regime

Published: 2005-12-27

BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNS) -- Cardinal Nasrallah P. Sfeir, patriarch of the Maronite Catholic Church, likened the situation in Lebanon to a communist regime. Referring to a series of successive assassinations and attacks in Lebanon over the last 14 months and the withdrawal of most Syrian forces, Cardinal Sfeir said in his Christmas message, "Unfortunately, forces ... working under the cover of darkness have remained, planting fear and scattering the foundation of independence to prove that the Lebanese are incapable of governing themselves." This campaign of violence is "depriving the population of mentors, turning it into a flock of lost sheep without their shepherd," the prelate said. "It is exactly what the communist system used to do." In his message, the prelate urged the Lebanese to "close ranks, surmount disputes and join forces for a consensus on a goal that unifies all."

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