Syriac Maronite Patriarch al-Raï receives Minister of Education to discuss situation in Lebanon

BETH KERKE, Lebanon — Syriac Maronite Patriarch Mor Bechara Boutros al-Raï received Minister of Education and Higher Education and the Acting Minister of Information Abbas al-Halabi at the patriarchal residence in Beth Kerke (Bkerke), Lebanon on Tuesday.

The discussion revolved around the current situation of education and educational institutions in Lebanon amid the coronavirus pandemic and the economic crisis which has made paying school and university fees difficult.

The Patriarch also received the new council of the Lebanese Press Editors Syndicate headed by Captain Joseph al-Qusaifi who commended the patriotic stances of the Patriarch and his role in bringing the Lebanese together in difficult times.

“People need direct political analysis and this is the role of the Syndicate Council,” said the Patriarch, highlighting the importance of public awareness about the political and economic reality in Lebanon.

Speaking about Hezbollah’s weapons, the Patriarch said:

“Our suffering lies in the failure to implement the Taif Agreement, which was partially implemented.

We demand an international conference, not a founding conference, to implement Taif first, implement international law, declare Lebanon’s neutrality and resolve the dossier of Palestinian refugees and displaced Syrians.”