Cardinal suggests U.N. intervention to help solve Lebanese crisis

Published: 2008-02-12

BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNS) -- A Lebanese cardinal called the militant Islamic group Hezbollah a "true problem" and suggested U.N. intervention to help solve Lebanon's political crisis. "The state cannot bear two armies, because that leads to a proxy state in Lebanon," said Cardinal Nasrallah P. Sfeir, patriarch of the Maronite Catholic Church, in an interview with Al-Massira, a weekly Lebanese magazine. "The United Nations is obliged to introduce restraints if the situation remains loose. They might appoint a ruler for Lebanon," the cardinal said. Lebanon has been without a president since Nov. 23 when Emile Lahoud's term expired. Under Lebanon's power-sharing system, the post of president is reserved for a Maronite Catholic. In the interview, Cardinal Sfeir also warned about the possible goals of the Syrian government, noting that "Syria's return to Lebanon could be made possible through its Lebanese allies." He said, "Well-known political figures are likely to allow Syria to spread its control in Lebanon once again ... and Syria is known for its ability to hit back at all its enemies."

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