The Lebanese Forces said that the Iraqi Christians were being persecuted and killed, and as a result were emigrating.
In a statement released on Monday, the Lebanese Forces said that the persecution came in the wake of the Iraqi cabinet’s decision to allocate a number of Christian seats within the provincial councils. The Lebanese Forces also noted the Chaldean Catholic archbishop in Kirkuk Louis Saka’s warning that a campaign, in accord with “internal and regional plans,” was being waged against the Christians in Iraq.
The Lebanese Forces added that the campaign against the Christians aimed to displace them, and served the interests of regional parties.
The Lebanese Forces called on Iraqi President Jalal Talbani, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, the Arab League and the international community to work to stop “crimes against the Christians.”