Beirut (AsiaNews) – The presence of the Blue Helmets and the deployment of the Lebanese army in southern Lebanon allow for reconstruction plans, for which national solidarity is fundamental, said Cardinal Nasrallah Sfeir. Speaking during Sunday Mass in Bkerke, the Maronite Patriarch said: "The time has now come for the country's reconstruction, with the deployment of the Lebanese army in south Lebanon, and we must thank the Lord for this new phase in our history." A dense crowd was present at the service to express solidarity with and gratitude to Patriarch Sfeir and all the Maronite bishops for the objective approach of their seventh appeal, published last Wednesday.

Patriarch Sfeir emphasized the importance of inter-Lebanese solidarity to tackle damages suffered during this last war and expressed hope of extensive collaboration between political leaders, indicating the path of national reconciliation as "the only way capable of making the country emerge from the current crisis, which is aggravating as winter draws near and schools reopen." Cardinal Sfeir launched another appeal to all to offer their contribution to support their brothers in need.

The patriarch also underlined the importance of the presence of UN peace keeping troops, which could guarantee lasting security to all, and he reiterated his gratitude to the Italian contingent and government that "spared no effort to express its nearness to the Lebanese people".

Patriarch Sfeir appointed three bishops to undertake a visit to south Lebanon, where they will have meetings regarding pastoral and charity work. The delegation is headed by Mgr Roland Abou Jawde, vicar-general of the patriarch, and includes the Maronite archbishop of Tyre, Mgr Choukrallah Nabil el Hajj, and the archbishop of Tripoli of the Maronites, Mgr Georges Bou-Jaoude. The group has taken the opportunity to organize meetings with Maronite parishes in south Lebanon.

Mgr Roland Abou-Jawde expressed concern about a prevalent lack of confidence in the future, exhorting Christians to remain in their land of origin despite the challenges and threats faced on a daily basis. "No one can ignore the critical significance of your presence in this martyred land and the difficulties you have faced with courage in recent times," he said. "Your presence in this area of Lebanon, as in others, is not easy. We are in a very critical and dangerous position on both a regional and national level," continued the vicar-general of the Maronite patriarchate, promising to convey to the patriarch and all leaders the concerns of Christians in south Lebanon, where criticism has been leveled against the church for an alleged lack of generosity. The Maronite mayor of Ain Ebel, Imad Khoury Sader, talking to AsiaNews about the visit of the Maronite patriarchal delegation, said: "Alas, our church is still sleeping. How can we resume our life in a village that has been practically destroyed by shelling, which did not even spare our church of Our Lady? We want to remind leaders that Ain Ebel is a village that has given much to the Church: it is enough to recall many eminent personalities of the village, like the late lamented Cardinal Patriarch

Antonoine Khoraiche and Mgr Albert Khreich, killed 15 years ago, a case about which we are still waiting for the truth. How can I tell young Christians not to run to embassies to emigrate, when they see others are being helped and no one is meeting their needs?"