BEIRUT: The Council of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon has called on the Lebanese government to honor its commitments to international resolutions, including those pertaining to the U.N.-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

In a communique issued Saturday at the end a six-day conference held under Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai at the Maronite patriarchate’s seat in Bkirki, north of Beirut, the patriarchs called on Lebanese from various sects and political affiliations to consolidate national unity on the basis of the 1943 National Pact and full and indivisible loyalty to Lebanon.

They urged the Lebanese to adopt “a calm dialogue and understanding” on anything that helps the state to assert its sovereignty over all its territories and the independence of its national political decision-making away from any foreign pressure or intervention.

“Lebanon’s independence, which the Lebanese celebrated earlier this week [on Nov. 22], requires the success of the state in administering public affairs with its own capabilities through its constitutional institutions,” the communique said.

It added that Lebanon needs to continue its efforts for the rise of a civilian state based on citizenship and the National Pact.

“Lebanon must be fully committed to resolutions of international legitimacy, including the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, for the sake of the truth and justice,” the communique said.