Lebanon's Top Christian Clerics Slam Politicians over Deteriorating Economic Conditions
Arab World
Asharq Al-Awsat
Lebanon's Christian authorities blasted politicians on Sunday for failing to solve the economic crisis that has increased poverty. In a sermon, Maronite Patriarch Beshara Al-Rai accused politicians of thinking only of their own vested interests and urged the president to take action. "It appears politicians want to hide their responsibility in emptying the treasury and not enact any reforms," he said. "Political officials...do not have the courage nor the freedom to meet and find ways out of the suffering," Rai added. Rai warned this was depriving the country of help it needs from foreign donors. Hopes of salvation through an IMF deal have retreated, with the government unwilling or unable to enact reforms, hamstrung by the conflicting agendas of sectarian leaders who don't want to yield power or privileges. The crisis has decimated the local currency and raised fears of mass hunger. Economic woes, rooted in state waste and corruption, came to the fore last year after capital inflows slowed and protests erupted against politicians. In another sermon in a central Beirut church, Greek Orthodox Archbishop Elias Audi also lambasted the political elite on Sunday. "Oh respected leaders, I address whatever conscience remains in you," he said. "Do you sleep comfortably at night while those under your care starve, and die of thirst and by suicide?" Earlier this week, dozens of people mourned a man who killed himself in a busy Beirut district, blaming the country's leaders for the hardship which they said caused his death. Two others have also committed suicide this week. The government of Prime Minister Hassan Diab, which took office in January, has said it is doing all it can to tackle the crisis.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2372446/lebanons-top-christian-clerics-slam-politicians-over-deteriorating-economic
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