Al-Rahi says disarming Hezbollah needs time, timing unsuitable for normalization

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi said Thursday that “the time has come for unifying arms Lebanon,” adding that “this is what was stipulated in the Taif Agreement.”

“The army needs strengthening and world countries must support it, but the solution now is diplomatic, because we’re incapable of engaging in war and no one can confront Israel. When it had all its weapons, what did the resistance manage to do in the face of the Israeli war machine?” al-Rahi added, in a meeting with a delegation from the Press Editors Syndicate.

“It is not easy to remove (Hezbollah’s) weapons now and this requires time, but we must reach this goal, seeing as the folks (Hezbollah) are strong and their morale still exists,” the patriarch said.

As for the issue of normalization with Israel, al-Rahi said: “The time is not right for normalization now and there are many issues that must be implemented, like border demarcation and the handover of weapons.”

He added: “The situation has now changed and we’re headed for the better, and there is no fear of a clash between the army and Hezbollah because the army is acting wisely.”

“The Israelis are threatening and carrying out their threats. Where is the ceasefire which we are no longer sensing? The U.S. is supporting this course, so we must be vigilant over what the Israelis are doing,” al-Rahi said.

“Why is Israel still retaining the five points until now? Resolution 1701 does not mean that things would happen instantly and Israel must be patient,” the patriarch added.

Responding to a question, al-Rahi said he does not fear for Lebanon’s Christians in light of what is happening in Syria.