BKIRKI: Maronite bishops urged Lebanese Thursday to prevent foreign intervention in Lebanon and warned against putting their country in confrontation with the international community.

“As the bishops are hurt by the political divide, they call on Lebanese to adhere to the best interests of Lebanon, not to allow any foreign intervention or put [Lebanon] in a confrontation with the international community,” a statement issued by the Council of Maronite Bishops after their monthly meeting in Bkirki said.

Lebanon has been under pressure from the international community in recent months to commit to funding the U.N.-backed court probing the 2005 assassination of statesman Rafik Hariri.

Hezbollah, whose March 8 coalition holds a majority in the government, rejects funding for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, in June released its indictment naming four members of the party, one a leading figure.

Hezbollah has denied involvement in the assassination and slammed the court as an “Israeli tool” targeting the resistance. Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah has said that the indicted men could not be arrested even “in 300 years.”

The Maronite bishops also said the increase in crime, robbery and theft or violations of private and public property has raised concerns that Lebanon could be destabilized.

“It looks as though Lebanese have not yet made up their minds to live in a country where everyone stands equal under the law,” added the statement.