Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Beshara Boutros al-Rahi, on Sunday, warmly welcomed the recent normalisation of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
“We welcome the rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and we bless this step, which falls within the framework of political reconciliation,” Rahi said in his message this Sunday from Bkirki, hoping that this reconciliation will be translated positively on the domestic arena.
“How greatly we hope that it will happen with us in Lebanon, leading to the restoration of the country’s natural identity, that is, its neutrality from external conflicts and wars, devoting itself to defending common Arab causes, the rights of peoples, justice and peace, in order for it to be a place for convergence and dialogue of religions and civilizations! This is Lebanon’s historical call…and how greatly we hope, during the blessed fasting season, to gather the Christian deputies and heads of their blocs on a day of spiritual exercise, which will be a day of fasting, prayer, listening to the word of God, repentance and reconciliation, in preparation for crossing into a new life with the Passover of Christ,” the Patriarch said.
On the presidential elections dossier, al-Rahi spoke about the crime committed by the nation’s deputies, by failing to elect a president due to vetoes, stressing the need for daily voting as required by the constitution.
Following the Mass service, al-Rahi received the Acting Director General of Public Security, Brigadier General Elias Al-Baissari, on a protocol visit after assuming his duties.
Source: National News Agency – Lebnon