The Council of Maronite Bishops and Major Superiors of religious orders in Lebanon has issued an appeal calling for strengthened State authority, renewed political neutrality, and a negotiated path toward de-escalation, in a statement reflecting deep concern over the country’s escalating crises.

In a statement issued following its monthly meeting, chaired by Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rahi and coinciding with Lebanon’s Martyrs’ Day, the Council paid tribute to those killed in defense of the country, describing them as having sacrificed their lives to preserve Lebanon as a free, sovereign, pluralistic, and independent state “with no competing allegiance.”

The Council framed Lebanon’s current situation as a defining historical moment shaped by overlapping domestic challenges and unprecedented regional and international shifts. It also aligned its position with remarks attributed to President Joseph Aoun on April 17, 2026, as well as recent government decisions under Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

The Council said Lebanon should not be viewed as a temporary political arrangement but as a “message of human and civilizational presence” grounded in freedom, pluralism, and coexistence, as established under the Constitution since the creation of Greater Lebanon.

It called on all State institutions to assume full sovereign responsibilities without ambiguity or parallel authorities, stressing the need to reinforce the rule of law, accountability, and public trust in State institutions.

Reaffirming its position on national identity, the Council said Lebanon is a “final homeland” for all its citizens, one that must be based on genuine partnership rather than dominance or shifting political alignments. It called for safeguarding the country from being drawn into external conflicts and for defending its territory against any aggression, while restoring Lebanon’s role as a “space of encounter between East and West.”

On constitutional governance, the Council emphasized that the Lebanese Constitution and the National Pact remain the sole framework governing political life and institutional relations. It said full and non-selective implementation of the Taif Agreement is essential for rebuilding a unified State, consolidating the principle of exclusive State control over weapons, and strengthening institutions in line with citizenship and equality.

The statement also strongly condemned what it described as “unprecedented incitement campaigns” and rhetoric of treason and threats, warning that such discourse undermines national cohesion and serves the interests of Lebanon’s adversaries.

The Council reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to Arab and international legitimacy, including compliance with UN Security Council resolutions 1559, 1680, and 1701, as well as Arab League resolutions and the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative launched in Beirut. It said this dual alignment reflects Lebanon’s natural position within both its Arab environment and the international system.

It also also urged Lebanon to reclaim its traditional role as a platform for dialogue and civilizational exchange, distancing itself from regional conflicts that have persisted for decades. The Council said this role can only be fulfilled by a strong, sovereign state capable of independently managing its foreign policy in line with national interests.

In a section devoted to peace efforts, the Council called for a structured negotiation process with Israel under Arab and international sponsorship, arguing that such a path could help stabilize Lebanon and secure its long-term interests. It said past approaches had led to occupation, dependency, and loss of sovereignty, and suggested that a return to the 1949 armistice framework could serve as a starting point for a more durable settlement, potentially culminating in a broader peace arrangement.

It also linked any future peace process to the establishment of Lebanon’s neutrality under a United Nations framework, arguing this would help shield the country from regional power struggles and protect its sovereignty.

Turning to domestic conditions, the Council described Lebanon as enduring one of its worst economic and social crises since 2019, compounded by repeated conflicts that have resulted in significant casualties, including women and children, widespread destruction, displacement, and accelerating emigration among young people.

It noted the collapse of livelihoods, frozen bank deposits, and the erosion of social protection systems, warning that the vast majority of Lebanese citizens reject being drawn into “endless wars” that compromise their security and dignity. Citizens’ priorities, it said, are stability, safety, and the ability to live and work in peace.

In its conclusion, the Council described the current moment as a historic turning point requiring “bold and responsible national decisions” rooted in Lebanon’s supreme interest and the safety of its people. It reiterated support for ongoing efforts by the presidency, government, and parliament to end hostilities, recover occupied territories, advance reconstruction, and facilitate the return of displaced persons.

It also expressed gratitude to Arab states and the international community for their continued support, saying Lebanon’s future depends on consolidating a civic state that embraces diversity as a permanent and irreversible principle.

The statement ended by reaffirming Lebanon’s historic mission as a model of coexistence and a potential example of a sovereign, just, and independent state capable of transforming crisis into national renewal.