Maronite Catholic Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir, the primary voice of Christian leadership in Lebanon, has answered criticism from the leader of Hezbollah, who had criticized the Patriarch's pre-election warning that Lebanon was in danger of losing its identity. The prelate's comment was widely interpreted as a caution against the influence of Hezbollah and the influence exerted over the militant movement by Iran and Syria. Patriarch Sfeir dismissed the criticism, noting-- without actually mentioning the movement's name-- that Hezbollah fared poorly in the elections. "Those who have lost are looking for excuses for their defeat," he remarked.
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