Syriac Maronite Patriarch Béchara Boutros al-Raï receives U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Ján Kubiš

DIMNAE, Lebanon — Syriac Maronite Patriarch Béchara Boutros al-Raï received United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Ján Kubiš, at the headquarters of the Patriarchate in Dimane, Lebanon to discussed the general situation in Lebanon and the delay in the formation of a new government.

The Patriarch also discussed with Kubiš his proposal for Lebanon’s adoption of a foreign policy of “active neutrality”.

On 7 August, Patriarch al-Raï penned a memorandum proposing Lebanon adopt a policy of “active neutrality”

The memorandum calls for Lebanon to pursue a policy of “active neutrality” and extract itself from regional and international conflicts and, given the ethnic and religious diversity of its population, act as a mediator in the region.

The need for continued international pressure to ensure governmental reform was also discussed.

In a separate meeting, Patriarch al-Raï received retired Brigadier General George Nader who affirmed his support for the Patriarch’s national stances, especially the issue of active neutrality.

The Patriarch also received Director General of the Ecovillage of Khan Al-Saboun Dr. Bader Hassoun. During the meeting, the Patriarch praised the great development that is taking place in the village.

Patriarch al-Raï has been outspoken about the issues facing Lebanon and the need to tackle corruption in the wake of the Beirut port explosion and has taken multiple meetings with Members of Parliament from various parties.

On 13 September, the Patriarch stated that an impartial and international investigation is needed because of the confusion in the local investigation, the conflicting information, the disunity of the state, the increasing doubts about the causes behind the explosion, and the continued neglect of officials which has resulted in a second fire at the port, stating that, “If the Lebanese authorities refuse an international investigation, then it is the duty of the U.N. to impose it, because what happened is close to a crime against humanity.”