Lebanon's political, social affairs 'not giving hope,' says cardinal

Published: 2008-03-24

BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNS) -- The "ferocious fight" for Lebanon's presidency and the "social confusion" into which the country has plunged are "not giving hope" to the Lebanese people, said Cardinal Nasrallah P. Sfeir, patriarch of the Maronite Catholic Church. In his annual Easter message, released March 21, the cardinal expressed his pessimism over growing divisions and "persistent efforts (by some parties) to overtake the country." He urged the Lebanese to "overcome disagreements and return to their consciences." Lebanon's presidency -- a post reserved for a Maronite Catholic under the country's power-sharing system -- has been vacant since November. Cardinal Sfeir also spoke of the deteriorating economic situation and said foreign businesses were withdrawing their investments from the country. Contrasting Lebanon's "deplorable" state to the prosperity of neighboring Persian Gulf countries where many Lebanese have emigrated for work, Cardinal Sfeir said, "It is obvious to see around us that certain countries have transformed their deserts into cities, whereas we have turned our vistas into deserts."

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