SAWT BEIRUT INTERNATIONAL

| 29 March 2024, Friday |

Rahi: We warn against passing financial decisions in the budget, similar to series of new ranks and salaries in disguise.

The Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Mar Beshara Boutros Al-Rahi, warned against passing financial decisions in the budget, similar to series of new ranks and salaries in disguise.

Rai said in his Sunday sermon: “We, in Lebanon, need a new life to infuse its spirit into political officials, and with all those involved in political affairs, in order to get out of our aggravating and increasing tragedies for more than thirty years. This spirit urges officials to revive constitutional institutions, convene the Council of Ministers normally, carry out reforms, agree with the International Monetary Fund, stop corruption, provide political and security conditions for holding parliamentary and presidential elections on their constitutional dates, and complete the ongoing investigation into Beirut’s port bombing.
He added: ” while the government will approve, starting tomorrow, the state budget, citizens are asking the government to look justly at their situation while they are mired in poverty, hunger, unemployment and lack of health guarantees. We warn against trying to pass financial decisions in the budget, or in parallel with it, similar to series of new ranks and salaries in disguise.
‘The imposition of taxes and fees takes place in phase of recovery, not in the phase of collapse, and in the phase of growth, not in the phase of contraction, and takes place within the framework of a comprehensive reform plan, under a free authority that commands the confidence of its people and the trust of the Arab and international communities. Economic reform begins with reforming the political and patriotic approach, not by imposing on the people unneeded taxes.” Rai concluded.

Rai said in his Sunday sermon: “We, in Lebanon, need a new life to infuse its spirit into political officials, and with all those involved in political affairs, in order to get out of our aggravating and increasing tragedies for more than thirty years. This spirit urges officials to revive constitutional institutions, convene the Council of Ministers normally, carry out reforms, agree with the International Monetary Fund, stop corruption, provide political and security conditions for holding parliamentary and presidential elections on their constitutional dates, and complete the ongoing investigation into Beirut’s port bombing.
He added: ” while the government will approve, starting tomorrow, the state budget, citizens are asking the government to look justly at their situation while they are mired in poverty, hunger, unemployment and lack of health guarantees. We warn against trying to pass financial decisions in the budget, or in parallel with it, similar to series of new ranks and salaries in disguise.
‘The imposition of taxes and fees takes place in phase of recovery, not in the phase of collapse, and in the phase of growth, not in the phase of contraction, and takes place within the framework of a comprehensive reform plan, under a free authority that commands the confidence of its people and the trust of the Arab and international communities. Economic reform begins with reforming the political and patriotic approach, not by imposing on the people unneeded taxes.” Rai concluded.

    Source:
  • Sawt Beirut International