BEIRUT: Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai called on Christians in Lebanon to play a positive role in resolving ongoing crises in the country.

During his Sunday sermon in Bkirki, north of Beirut, Rai said: “Christians should play a positive role in finding a solution for the ongoing crises in Lebanon over political and economic issues as well as domestic arms."

He added that it is the duty of religious and political figures to resolve crises.

Rai also voiced sorrow over the "disputes, protests, sit-ins, road blocking, assassination attempts and proliferation of illegitimate arms."

Lebanon has been witnessing a rise in the number of demonstrations and sit-ins in recent months regarding electricity shortages, grievances over kidnappings and the anti-Hezbollah protest by Sheikh Ahmad Assir.

“What is more regrettable is the political cover ... enjoyed by the perpetrators of all these irregular acts that are harming Lebanon as a state and entity,” Rai said.