“This long night will be followed by dawn,” Maronite Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros Al Rahi said during a speech to a delegation from the Lebanese Forces party that paid him a visit on the occasion of Christmas day. “We are in the time of Christmas when the light of peace and love shines, and therefore we are in this for the night we live in. Lebanon’s genuine light must shine.”

“Each of us shall assume his own responsibility, and Lebanon need all of its forces and all Lebanese to unite,” Patriarch Al Rahi affirmed.

“Today we will encounter problems, and we shall never give up,” he said. “Our faith in Lebanon is greater than all of the harmful schemes that are now taking place, and we must stay unified.”

Regarding the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections, Al Rahi stressed that “the elections are an important constitutional station through which the people express their opinion, and it is very necessary to adhere to the constitutional entitlement represented by the parliamentary elections and then the presidential elections.” He added, “I regret the allegations regarding postponing the elections, which are negative as a result of disappointments.” “Yes, parliamentary elections will be held in May, and we will not accept any other scenario.”

He went on to say, “Christmas is a season of peace founded on steadfastness, and Lebanon desperately needs its loyal and loving sons. Our power outweighs all negative forces, no matter how powerful they are. Our trust in Lebanon has genuine strength, and it is a civilizational virtue that never dies.”