In an interview with LBCI in Nharkom Said on September 11 2004, Bishop Bechara Al-Rahi attacked Syria, which decided to amend the constitution allowing President Emile Lahoud to extend his presidential term for three years, disregarding all Lebanese opinions and the sanctity of the constitution. He also attacked the Lebanese in the parliament and the cabinet who signed off on this decision. He stressed that Lebanon does not want to be a state subordinate to Syria. He asserted that there is no connection between the Bkerke Appeal issued by the Council of Maronite Bishops on September 1, 2004, calling for Lebanon not to be transformed into a Syrian province, and UN Security Council Resolution 1559.