Middle East Council of Churches: Update on Recent Situation in Lebanon

Middle East Council of Churches: Update on Recent Situation in Lebanon

The Middle East Council of Churches’ communicates about the continuing crisis in Lebanon.

The Middle East Council of Churches watched with great pain the news of the clashes that erupted in Beirut last Wednesday, 7/5/2008 and moved to many cities of the country.

The commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), General Michel Suleiman, said the country has witnessed in the past few days a “civil war that no national army can put an end to or take part in.”  The Fighting has killed at least 62 people, in the worst internal unrest since the 1975-1990 Civil War. 

The Middle East Council of Churches is worried about the deteriorated situation in Lebanon and strongly condemns the deadly fighting that affects human beings, cause the death of innocent civilians and children, as well as the destruction of material possessions and lengthens the suffering of the Lebanese citizens preventing them from living in dignity and freedom.

The Middle East Council of Churches urge the Arab League’s new mission to Lebanon to end the fighting, and to help with the Presidential election. 

MECC is aware of the dangerous situation and strongly ask the Lebanese politicians to make efforts to reject violence and find a solution to the situation.  We call on all parties to work on promoting political dialogue between the Lebanese to end the violence and spare bloodshed.

Guirguis Ibrahim Saleh
General Secretary
Middle East Council of Churches
Beirut, 14 May 2008