His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II: A humanitarian appeal for immediate international action to provide relief and alleviate the suffering of the Lebanese people

Following the events in Lebanon, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, appealed to the international community and issued the following call for action:

“Daily massacres continue to be committed by the [Israel] against innocent Lebanese civilians resulting in the forced displacement of more than 1.5 million Lebanese citizen from their towns and villages due to the destruction of their homes and means of survival. A new reality is emerging where misery is prevailing and many suffer in the midst of unrest and chaos. While we express our deep sorrow for the suffering endured by the Lebanese people, we strongly condemn this aggression. We offer our condolences for the families of the martyrs and pray for the recovery of the wounded, and for peace in Lebanon.

The new reality imposed by this unjust war on our country demands that we all show solidarity to help and protect those who were forced to leave their homes. It requires dedicated efforts to restore security and stability to Lebanon. The Lebanese people need to unite and stand together to avert dangers, achieve a unified Lebanon for all its people, and reach constitutional milestones, mainly the election of a new president without any delay and without any foreign interference.

We appeal to the international community and all people of good conscience, urging them in the name of humanity to fulfill their role in striving for peace and justice in Lebanon, a country that has always been a symbol of coexistence and tolerance.

We call for immediate international intervention to provide urgent support and necessary relief to alleviate the suffering of the Lebanese people and ensure their basic needs are met.

We fervently pray to God to protect Lebanon during this ordeal, and ask that He inspires us all to work for the well-being, safety, and prosperity of our country.”

This Statement was originally published on the Facebook Page of His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II.