Maronite Patriarch, Bechara Boutros Rahi, presided over Sunday mass in Bkerke.

Addressing the faithful, the Patriarch said: "The time has come for people to wake up to come out of their humiliation and witness to living under the control of the state and liberation from sectarian projects."

Referring to Independence Day, Rahi complained about "the presence of officials and leaders who are not independent."

He added: "Independence does not coexist with a rule that does not secure prosperity for its people. Officials must believe that Lebanon's existence is a project of sovereign and neutral independence in this East."