Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, on Wednesday presided over the Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops Council’s extraordinary session in Bkirki.

After a joint prayer, Patriarch Al-Rahi delivered an opening speech, in which he called for “the formation of a government that will restore the state’s prestige, carry out reforms, and free the judiciary from politicians.”

“In light of the country’s collapse with all of its institutions and economy, we have asked for a UN-led international conference on Lebanon just like other countries,” Al-Rai said, and issued a reminder for the politicians that they are here to compete for the sake of the common good.

“Therefore, we call for a rescue government capable of pulling Lebanon out from collapse and stop the dismemberment of the state,” he said.

After Al-Rai’s words, the Council kicked off its closed session, which is expected to last for one day.