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"The side that has arms is forcing itself on others," Sfeir told al-Massira magazine in an interview. "The possibilities of war exist as long as Hizbullah wants to play the role of the state."
The patriarch also rejected the presence of two armies in the country, calling "for the continuation of the struggle until the rise of the state."
On relations with Damascus, Sfeir said: "The Syrians kept their influence despite their withdrawal from Lebanon as a result of the compliance of some (Lebanese) with their tutelage."
He said he visited Damascus when he was still a bishop. "What has changed so that I visit Damascus today?" he wondered.
"We won't visit Damascus unless we have the support of our sect," the head of the Maronite church stressed.
He told al-Massira that the situation of the country's Christians wasn't better in previous decades. "Lebanon's Christians weren't better during Turkish rule. The Turkish state was against us but we preserved our presence."
"At a later stage, they (Christians) weren't in a better situation than today," the patriarch added.
Asked about ex-Premier Rafik Hariri and the Feb. 14 mass rally to mark his 5th assassination anniversary, Sfeir said Hariri's death was a big loss for Lebanon.
Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat should "demonstrate his presence during the Feb. 14 occasion to the March 14 team and not me," he said.
Beirut, 05 Feb 10, 13:57