Lebanon facing coup threat, Maronite leader warns rally

Lebanon facing coup threat, Maronite leader warns rally

Author: Sun, 2021-02-28 00:02

BEIRUT: The leader of Lebanon's influential Christian Maronite church has warned that the country is facing the threat of a "full-fledged coup,“ and called for an international conference to avert "chaos, hunger and oppression.“

In an emotional address to thousands of followers on Saturday, Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rai said that he was "drawing red lines for anyone who harbors evil for Lebanon, regardless of their sect.“

His comments were widely seen as a veiled reference to Iran-backed Hezbollah along with the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) and its founder President Michel Aoun.

"We are facing a full-fledged coup attempt,“ Al-Rai told Lebanese who traveled to the church's headquarters in Bkerke to support his demand for a UN-sponsored international conference to save Lebanon.

In response to the patriarch's speech, people chanted: "Hezbollah is terrorist,“ "Get out, Iran“ and "Michel Aoun, leave.“

Cries of "Revolution! Revolution!“ were also heard.

The Bkerke rally went ahead despite measures to limit gatherings amid the coronavirus pandemic, with some observers suggesting it could signal an end to the stalemate in Lebanese politics.

We want to provide support to the Lebanese Army, making it Lebanon's sole defender.

Patriarch Bechara, Boutros Al-Rai

The FPM, led by Gebran Bassil, did not attend, saying it feared that the