The Deputy President of the Supreme Shiite Islamic Council, Sheikh Ali Al-Khatib, met with the Italian Ambassador to Lebanon, Fabrizio Marscelli, in a courtesy visit during which they reviewed the bilateral relations between the two countries and their friendly peoples. Al-Khatib wished the ambassador success in his efforts to enhance bilateral relations, noting that the two countries have shared cooperation ties, and that Italy hosts Lebanese students who receive good treatment. They also discussed the general situation in Lebanon and the region.
The Italian ambassador inquired about reports in the press regarding a boycott of the meeting at Bkerke with the papal envoy. Al-Khatib confirmed that "there was no boycott of the papal envoy and that the relationship between the Shiite Council and the Vatican is excellent, characterized by goodwill and respect. However, the stance of Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rahi on Sunday regarding the resistance forced us not to participate. We had hoped for a clarification from the patriarchate on this position. The clarification came late through Monsignor Abdo Abou Kassem, but this does not mean a boycott between the Shiite Council and Bkerke, especially since we coordinate with the patriarchate on most matters that serve the nation. We recently visited the patriarchal see, and in conclusion, we affirm our constant commitment to a good relationship with the Vatican."
Al-Khatib stated that "the countries of the European Union bear responsibility in the Security Council in restraining the genocide being carried out by the Zionist entity against the Palestinian people. Even the United Nations employees have not been spared from the massacres of the Zionist enemy, and the United Nations has failed to protect them along with its institutions working in Palestine. The European countries should not be complicit with the United States in covering up the Zionist aggression against the Palestinians."
He affirmed that "the Zionist entity is responsible for the shedding of blood in the region and for violating international, legal, and humanitarian laws and norms, and that we are keen on applying international law and implementing Resolution 1701, which it has failed to comply with, as acknowledged by the United Nations due to its repeated violations of Lebanon's sovereignty. He pointed out that the resistance fighters are the sons of the land defending it, as the resistance emerged as a reaction to the occupation and the Zionist aggression against southern Lebanon."
