NNA - Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Mar Beshara Boutros Rahi, on Tuesday welcomed Caretaker Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Judge Bassam Mawlawi, who briefed his Beatitude on the aftermath of the earthquake that hit Lebanon at dawn on Monday. 

“We’ve reassured the Maronite Patriarch that no casualties or material damage has been reported in Lebanon. Yesterday, the Ministry of Interior declared a state of municipal emergency in support of citizens amid the dire prevailing circumstances,” Mawlawi said. 

He further stressed that security in Lebanon was stable despite the difficult circumstances and the lack of equipment and funding. 

“I always say let them compare our circumstances with our performance, as our performance is much better than the circumstances surrounding us,” Mawlawi added. 

The Minister also briefed Al-Rahi on the preparations underway by the Ministry of Interior to hold municipal and mayoral elections. 

===========R.H.