Date: Feb 8, 2019 Source: The Daily Star Rai says corruption levels in Lebanon unprecedented BEIRUT: Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai said current levels of corruption in Lebanon are unprecedented and called for a “revolution of the people,” in comments published Friday. “Never in its history has Lebanon reached this level of corruption,” Rai told Al Joumhouria in an interview. “Corrupt officials are legitimizing corruption and giving people the crumbs ... and taking away the riches [of the country].” Rai said he wasn’t satisfied with how the political class was dealing with the issue, telling the paper that despite high public debt, officials would not take action. “A revolution of the people and a revolution against corruption and those that are corrupt is what’s needed,” he said. The Maronite patriarch praised the formation of a new government after months of deadlock, but said Cabinet should make up for lost time. He also called on the ministers to not misuse their ministries’ resources and stop squandering public money.