Maronite Patriarch, Bechara Boutros Rahi, delivered a speech on Friday at the opening of the Bkerki Socio-Economic Forum, whereby he said: "You are here today and tomorrow so we can brainstorm, work and plan together to anchor our future generations in our motherland; the State of cultural, religious and political pluralism, the country of national unity, democracy and freedom and the State of conviviality, where Christians and Muslims share the power in equity and balance."

"This Lebanese identity, however, is threatened today by the new political reality, which is in violation of the Constitution and the Charter, and which introduces norms and practices that gradually change Lebanon's political and social face; one that is threatened by the economic crisis and the stifling living conditions," Rahi warned.