Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi stated on Monday that the possession of arms outside the state’s authority is unacceptable.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi stated on Monday that the possession of arms outside the state’s authority is unacceptable.

He said before reporters: “The time when Hezbollah lays down its arms would be a great day. Let us be reasonable however and admit that most of our problems are external.”

Furthermore, the patriarch revealed that “serious dialogue has been launched with Hezbollah in order for all matters to be laid out in the open at the national dialogue.”

Addressing the government’s performance so far, al-Rahi remarked: “It has not properly functioned since its formation.”

“Lebanon has a role to play in the region and it cannot remain occupied with its own affairs,” he stressed, reported the National News Agency.

He therefore emphasized the importance of the resumption of the national dialogue in order to end the crisis.

In addition, he revealed that he had issued an invitation to United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to visit Bkirki during his upcoming trip to Lebanon.