In Lebanon: Christian fears of demographic change

Maronite Patriarch Beshara Boutros al-Rahi warned against selling land in Lebanon, describing it as 'memory, roots, identity, and future,' amid Christian fears of demographic change in areas such as Mount Lebanon, Keserwan, and Baabdat. The 'Lebanese Land Movement' spoke of indications of purchases of apartments, land, and buildings, while a church source affirmed that the warning reflects legitimate concerns. MP Elias Khoury said the main fear is that land sales could turn into large residential projects leading to permanent population transfer, while MP Razi al-Hajj filed a complaint with the Public Prosecution to verify the sources of funds. The article notes that no published evidence proves an organized plan for demographic change, and emphasizes that Lebanese law protects private property.