by Nayera Abdallah
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican’s top diplomat, on Tuesday blamed Lebanese politicians for profiting from the suffering of a large part of the population as the country is plunged into a deep political crisis and economical.
The World Bank on Tuesday accused the country’s elite in its report on Lebanon’s economic situation of “orchestrating” one of the world’s worst economic depressions due to its exploitation of resources.
“Let the fact that the few profit from the suffering of the many cease. Let the half-truth continue to frustrate people’s aspirations no longer,” Archbishop Paul Gallagher said during a visit to Beirut.
Lebanon is suffering from a severe economic crisis that worsened in 2019 when its financial system collapsed under the weight of colossal debt.
While politicians have acknowledged the existence of corruption in Lebanon, none have taken individual responsibility, claiming to do their best to save the economy.
The archbishop also warned against any foreign interference in the country but refrained from mentioning Hezbollah – backed by Iran – as Beirut tries to reconnect with the Gulf countries with which relations have become strained over the years due to the influence of the Shiite movement on Lebanese politics.
“The Lebanese people must be given the opportunity to be the architects of a better future in their land without undue interference,” Archbishop Gallagher said after meeting President Michel Aoun, a Christian ally of Hezbollah.
Hezbollah, which holds the majority of seats in parliament, has a more powerful militia than the Lebanese army and supports Iran in its struggle for regional influence with the Arab states of the Gulf, allies of the United States.
Arab states say the militia party supports Houthi rebels, allies of Iran, who are fighting the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.
The Archbishop added that the Holy See could organize a dialogue between Lebanese political actors, if requested by all parties concerned, and that Pope Francis wishes to visit Lebanon soon.
(Report Nayera Abdallah and Timour Azhari; French version Laetitia Volga, edited by Sophie Louet)