With deep sadness and sorrow, we mourn a historic personality who fought in silence & modesty yet with strength for the sovereignty and freedom of Lebanon.

Bishop Youssef Bechara was born in Arbet Kozhaya, district of Zgharta, near Qannoubin valley, the valley of saints where he acquired the maronite values, the deep faith& the solidity of the mountains to face all the obstacles.

Moreover, Bishop Bechara accompanied the Patriarch of the Independence Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir in many phases of his mandate. He chaired kornet Chehwan Gathering to recuperate the sovereignty of Lebanon on the partnership basis. He gathered us as a father and was our mentor in fighting for our country’s sovereignty. He worked hard for the success of the gathering to conciliate the principles& the values with the diversity indulgence. And this is what we need the most in Lebanon nowadays.

In these hard times, we will miss a personality like Bishop Youssef Bechara in this dangerous phase that Lebanon is going through. We will always refer to his experience, words and advices to enlighten our national path to build the Lebanon of our dreams, Lebanon of freedom, of sovereignty. We dream of a strong Lebanon who monopolizes the right to take decisions and to use the weapons in order to protect the diversity, the freedom& the decent life, the services, the development& the prosperity of the country.

I sincerely express my deep condolences to his family, to the maronite church, to the Patriarch Bechara Al Rahi, to the council of maronite bishops & to the citizens of Arbet Kozhaya, Zgharta Zawieh and all the Lebanese.

May his soul rest in peace