The newspaper "Asharq Al-Awsat" reported that Maronite Patriarch Beshara Raï believes "Lebanon is sick and its treatment is the implementation of the Taif Agreement and the declaration of neutrality," expressing regret that "it has become isolated from the world." During his visit to Cairo, he informed Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi that "the issue of Hezbollah's weapons has left the hands of the Lebanese."
In an interview with Lebanese channel "MTV," Raï stated that "the Egyptian president loves Lebanon and the Lebanese people, and I thanked him for the air bridge he established after the port explosion, which expresses his affection and opens Egypt's doors to the Lebanese, as well as his consistent supportive positions for Lebanon and the mediation he undertakes with Gulf countries."
Raï noted that during his visit to Cairo, internal Lebanese issues were discussed, conveying Sisi's regret over the situation Lebanon has reached. "I told him; Lebanon is sick and we need treatment for this sickness, which is the non-implementation of the Taif Agreement, and the solution is to declare neutrality," he said, expressing regret that "Lebanon has become isolated from the world." He announced that "the Egyptian president expressed his readiness to support the Lebanese cause, and I told him that the solutions are not solely in the hands of the Lebanese to apply, but there is a role for Arabs and the international community."
He highlighted that the discussion also touched on Hezbollah's weapons, considering that "they have left the hands of the Lebanese, and if there were a defensive strategy, part of the problem could be resolved."
Raï spoke about "a friendship between us and the Secretary-General of the Arab League (Ahmed Aboul Gheit), who has not spared any effort in following up on Lebanon's case. Lebanon, being a committed and founding member, cannot be left abandoned; rather, we must work harder for its sake."
Regarding the upcoming parliamentary elections, Raï assured Sisi that "they must take place, as this concerns us to preserve constitutional entitlements, and voters should participate actively and make the right choices to restore trust." He urged the Lebanese to "participate actively in the elections, as they cannot choose between going or not going; this is an obligation upon them to elect those they believe will fulfill their aspirations and not to overlook their role in accountability and oversight." Raï also delivered a sermon at St. Joseph Cathedral in Cairo (Zaher) and met with Pope Tawadros II of the Coptic Church.
