LEBANON: Syriac Maronite Patriarch Béchara Boutros al-Raï continues to hold meetings with political parties and social organizations

DIMANE, Lebanon – Syriac Maronite Patriarch Béchara Boutros al-Raï continues to hold meetings with various delegations of Lebanese political parties and social organizations to discuss Lebanon’s complex and deteriorating situation to find ways to get out of its current crises. The Lebanese political quagmire has become extremely complex after designated Prime Minister Mustapha al-Diab resigned this Saturday in a blow to French President Macron’s initiative to form a cabinet of reform.

Patriarch Mor Béchara Boutros al-Raï received at his summer residence in al-Dimane, a delegation from the Strong Republican Bloc that included Syriac Maronites Majid Edi Abi Al Lamaa, former mayor of Jbeil-Byblos and current MP Ziad Hawat, former Lebanese minister of Communication professor Melhem Riachi and Antoine Mrad. In comments after the meeting, Member of Lebanese Parliament Abi al-Lamaa said on behalf of the delegation:

“Today we came as delegates from Dr. Samir Geagea (ed. leader of Lebanese Forces) to confirm our support for the Patriarchate and our Patriarch al-Raï and to renew our stance of support and standing by the Patriarch’s side regarding Lebanon’s positive neutrality and insistence on adhering to the Lebanese constitution, charter and Document of National Accord.” And,

“We must uphold the constitution, the charter and the Document of National Accord and return to them in letter and spirit in crises and political differences that arise. Because the process of creating norms that do not exist and are not included in the constitution, such as establishing and holding ministerial portfolios, cannot be allowed without the recognition by others.”

“We stress the affirm the Patriarch’s call about the necessity for the Lebanese components to gather in unity without one party dominating or wanting to defeat an other part. We are destined to live together in times of happiness and sorrow for Lebanon is our homeland. There is no human dignity without it. And we will not accept losing our homeland but rather will make all the sacrifices necessary to preserve it.”

Syriac Maronite Patriarch al-Raï also received the head of the North Lebanon Bar Association Mr. Muhammad al-Mrad with a delegation of former deans. Dean al-Mrad also affirmed his support for the active neutrality suggested by the Patriarch and all his patriotic stances on Lebanese nationality:

“We, as a bar association, believe in the constitution. The Patriarch’s demand and his adherence to the constitution and National Accord Document are the door to defend Lebanon, its political entity and its constitutional institutions. We also discussed, with His Beatitude, the French initiative launched by President Macron, which the Lebanese people agreed upon as the last chance to save Lebanon. And that not adhering to this initiative means entering the unknown, ” said al-Mrad.

His Beatitude also met with the former mayor of Amioun Ghassan Karam. Mr. Karam emphasized support for the patriarch’s national stances, especially regarding Lebanon’s neutrality, wishing that this would bring the Lebanese together and end their division.