Maronite Patriarch Bechara Al-Rahi received President Fouad Siniora at Bkerke, leading a delegation from the "Al-Azhar Meeting and the Document of Human Fraternity" during a visit to congratulate on the holidays and discuss the current situations. After the meeting, Siniora emphasized the "necessity of preserving national unity and the covenant of coexistence," declaring his rejection of "involving Lebanon in the ongoing war in Gaza, as the Lebanese have suffered a lot from the July War until today, and now there is no safety net as there was in 2006." He called for "electing a president of the republic who would be hopeful and unifying for the Lebanese, and for the state to extend its authority over all territories," stating that "Hezbollah cannot impose a president on the Lebanese and the mistake we made in 2016 must not be repeated." He stressed that "we need a general national stance to avoid slipping into the Gaza war," asserting that "in light of the existing external settlements, we must preserve our unity and our country and adhere to the provisions of the constitution."
Earlier, Patriarch Al-Rahi received Minister of Information in the caretaker government Ziad Al-Makari for a holiday congratulatory visit, which also served as an opportunity to discuss current affairs. Following the meeting, Al-Makari said: "The visit was to congratulate on the holidays, and we touched upon all political issues. As you know, Lebanon is going through significant crises, and we are affected by external factors, the Gaza war, and the global economic situation. We hope that this year, at the beginning, will bring a serious attempt to elect a president of the republic. We rely on the step taken by President Nabih Berri to open the parliamentary council to start calls for electing a president."
He added: "We also discussed other topics, including the impact of the Gaza war on Lebanon and the Lebanese, and we certainly share concerns about the youth emigration abroad, as Lebanon loses its spirit and future. Another concern is the issue of Syrian displaced persons. Definite that the regional situation has diverted the Lebanese administration's attention from this issue, yet we must look towards solutions for all these internal problems to alleviate the issues facing our country and our people."
He continued: "I am among those who say that we should not tie our fate to the outside, whether in politics or in major crises wherever they may be. As Lebanese, we should make the decision to elect a president of the republic that is a purely Lebanese production, whether in nomination or choosing names as well as on the date of the election."
In response to a question, Al-Makari pointed out that "the ministers of the 'National Free Movement' were supposed to participate in the session to extend the military leadership," confirming that "the new relationship between 'the Marada' and 'the Socialist' is excellent, and the issue of the Chief of Staff is contingent on a legal step that puts things on the right track."
Al-Rahi also received the President of the International Union of Arab Bankers Joseph Torbey during a holiday congratulatory visit which served as an opportunity to discuss the economic and financial conditions in the country. The Patriarch hosted him for a meal at Bkerke.
In another development, Patriarch Al-Rahi will preside over the monthly meeting of the Maronite Bishops' Council at Bkerke at 9:30 AM on Wednesday, with church and national affairs on the agenda.
