Syriac Maronite Patriarch al-Raï meets the French Senate delegation in Lebanon

BETH KERKE, Lebanon — Emphasizing France’s supportive position for Lebanon, Syriac Maronite Patriarch Mor Bechara Boutros al-Raï received a delegation from the French Senate at the Patriarchal Headquarters in Beth Kerke (Bkerke), Lebanon, on Saturday.

The delegation was headed by the President of the Lebanese–French Friendship Group, Christine Lavard, accompanied by the French Ambassador to Lebanon Anne Grillo.

During the visit, the delegation stressed the need for Lebanese political actors to cooperate with each other and unite in order to save their country.

After the meeting, Lavard indicated that this is the second visit to the Patriarch following his statements about the need for Lebanon to adopt a policy of “active neutrality”.

Patriarch al-Raï published his memorandum of “Lebanon and Active Neutrality” on 17 August, 2020, two weeks after the massive explosion in the port of Beirut. 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.

“Today, the patriarch renews his calling for Lebanon’s neutrality because it is the only way for Lebanon to return to its previous prosperity, stability, security and peace,” said Lavard.

She also declared that this visit provided an opportunity to exchange views about the current Lebanese situation before their expected meetings with various political parties, particularly the deeply divided Christian parties.

“The disparity that we have witnessed in Lebanon has shocked us,” she said. “Nearly a year after the tragic Beirut port explosion the port is still closed.”

Lavard stressed that the international community, and France in particular, can provide emergency humanitarian aid, but the solution to Lebanon’s crisis rest primarily with the Lebanese people.