MP Fred Khalil visited the patriarchal residence in Bkerke and met with Maronite Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros Raï.
Khalil affirmed, in a statement he distributed, the importance of standing by Bkerke as the primary national shield for Lebanon's sovereignty, unity, and diversity, especially during this critical moment that the patriarch is handling with responsibility and wisdom, fully aware of the correct roadmap to lift Lebanon from the depths it has reached. He relayed that Patriarch Raï supports a "golden triangle" that he will not retract from, which includes "the Taif Agreement, the Constitution, and the National Pact," a message he conveyed to the political forces that visited him in recent days.
He noted that the patriarch believes Lebanon has historically only emerged from crises with international help and support at various stages, given its position as a founding member of the United Nations. He emphasized, "We are the historical guardians of Bkerke, as we will be today in good times and bad."
Khalil pointed out that the presence at Bkerke on Saturday would be distinctly popular and not political, expressing the broad public confidence from various sects in the person of the patriarch, stating: "The Bkerke shrine is open to all and will remain a safe haven for the Lebanese."
The statement mentioned that Patriarch Raï invited MP Khalil for a lunch gathering. Political forces supporting the patriarch's stance have called for a public gathering at Bkerke next Saturday in solidarity with Patriarch Raï's positions, particularly his call for an international conference for Lebanon and its neutrality under United Nations sponsorship, implicitly responding to the positions of Hezbollah's Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah regarding Patriarch Raï's proposals.
