“It is true that we do not have oil and gas,” Maronite Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros Al Rahi said, “but we do own brains,” adding, “This is the Lebanese.”

“From the standpoint of a salvation strategy, we look forward to this council, which contains competencies to construct a salvation plan in partnership with the unions and the church is supportive at all levels,” Al Rahi stated from the Economic and Social Council’s offices.

“With all love, return to your nation and restore your history,” he said to the refugees. If you do not return, you will be the ones to start a second war because you are killing your culture, race, and society. Culture is the foundation of the economy, because the economy cannot flourish without it.”