Sarkozy tells Rai: The regime in Syria is over

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French President Nicolas Sarkozy reportedly told the visiting Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai, who fears for the future of minorities in Syria, that “the regime in Syria is over,” adding, “this is a certainty, and not an expectation.

He also reportedly told Rai that the Christians had to prepare for such an outcome and work toward the establishment of a civil state.

Sarkozy’s statements come after Rai said that “any further escalation of the crisis in Syria will lead to a stricter regime than the current one, such as the rule of the Muslim Brotherhood, and the Christians will pay the price.”

Rai also said that “the regime change in Syria and the emergence of a Sunni regime will lead to an alliance between them and their Sunni brothers in Lebanon, thus further worsening the crisis between the Shiites and the Sunnis.”

Rai’s new stance reminded the Lebanese of MP Walid Jumblatt’s U-turn in 2009. Both Rai and Jumblatt appear to have made the switch in their stances out of fear .

Jumblatt who was elected by March 14 voters during the 2009 elections defected officially from the March 14 (three months after the Der Spiegel report of May 2009 revealed that Hezbollah was behind Hariri’s murder) for fear over a Shiite -Sunni strife if Hezbollah members were indicted by the STL. But the Sunnis of Lebanon have proved him wrong so far . Not one shot was heard , not one tire was burnt and not one road was blocked in the mainly Sunni areas of Beirut, Tripoli or Sidon and Lebanon maintained its calm since the indictment was announced .

In an almost direct response to Patriarch Rai, LF leader Samir Geagea said that “linking the fate of Eastern Christians to that of totalitarian regimes is a falsification of history and of our identity.”

All Syria’s allies in Lebanon rushed to praise Rai’s comments

Lebanese Democratic Party leader MP Talal Arslan on Friday commended al-Rai’s position vis-à-vis Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. “The patriarch’s position is extremely wise and responsible,” Arslan said.

General Michel Aoun also staunchly defended Patriarch Rai’s stance, which he applauded, saying: “The alternative to the current regime in Syria will be the Muslim Brotherhood who believe that democracy contravenes the Sharia.”

Aoun also said that “if the Syrian regime falls the Christians will lose the most.”

Amal Movement MP Qassem Hashem praised Patriarch Rai’s “wise” views regarding Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. “Adopting the position of the patriarch is the key to preserving Lebanon,” he said

Al-Jamaa al-Islamiya on Friday issued a statement responding to Patriarch al-Rai and Aoun’s latest comments on recent developments in Syria.

“ A regime change in Syria will not negatively impact relations between the [groups] that form the Lebanese community.”

“Inciting sectarian feelings will not benefit any sect in the region… and it will open new debates that will harm all groups ,” the statement added.

The Sunni party also called for renewing the Christian-Muslim dialogue.

In an editorial published in Lebanon Now website Michael Young who is an opinion editor of the Daily Star newspaper told Rai :”You are wrong”

This week Rai blundered again, with perfectly reckless comments on the uprising in Syria, offered up in separate contexts. The cycle started when the patriarch, deploying high ecclesiastical ambiguity while on a visit to Paris, wondered in a France 24 interview, “Are we heading in Syria toward a Sunni-Alawite civil war? This, then, is a genocide and not democracy and reform. Are we heading toward a division of Syria into sectarian mini-states?” Rai then warned the French, “What we are asking of the international community and France is not to rush into resolutions that strive to change regimes.”

“For the Christians to survive in the Middle East, they must be on the side of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Only democracy and genuinely civil orders, to borrow from Sarkozy, can truly protect them—not a sordid game of alliances with other minorities, particularly repressive minorities. Bolstering butchers will spell the end for the Christians, and Bechara Rai should know that by now.”

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32 responses to “Sarkozy tells Rai: The regime in Syria is over”

  1. Until the time that Muslims definitely and decisively stand up to extremism in the region, Chistians fears in the region willl be justified…just look at what is happening in post revolutionary Egypt and what has transpired in Iraq and how Christians are under siege and forced to either fight back or flee for their lives. The patriarch has the right to express his deep concern and fears as head of the Maronite church, something that Sarkozy and other western leaders do not understand given their disregard for the plight of minorities in the region. .

    1. 5thDrawer Avatar

      N0-ONE understands the ‘middle east’ unless they try to live there for a while … in which case no-one can understand anything about religions. 

      1. PROPHET.T Avatar

        If your theory was  true, then all people who live in the  middle east must be experts on what is going on,and by now  they should have found solutions to all of their problems.

        1. PROPHET PLEASE GO TO YOU TUBE AND SEARCH (LEBANESE RAP PIERRE HASHASH) IT TOOK ME 5 REPLAYS TO UNDERSTAND IT BUT HIS LYRICS ARE OUTSTANDING AND COME AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO A BETTER LEBANON ,,,LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF IT.

        2. PROPHET.T Avatar

          geo metro,
          Thanks for the recommendation;Although not  a big  fan of RAP, but I found  the  lyric smooth  enough to  understand  after three  tires.lol
          Artists and poets always reflect the  true thinking of their  own  society. I think his words  are  a true reflection of  the  silent  majority of Lebanese  who  just  want to  live  with  peace .

  2.  Avatar

    Until the time that Muslims definitely and decisively stand up to extremism in the region, Chistians fears in the region willl be justified…just look at what is happening in post revolutionary Egypt and what has transpired in Iraq and how Christians are under siege and forced to either fight back or flee for their lives. The patriarch has the right to express his deep concern and fears as head of the Maronite church, something that Sarkozy and other western leaders do not understand given their disregard for the plight of minorities in the region. .

    1.  Avatar

      N0-ONE understands the ‘middle east’ unless they try to live there for a while … in which case no-one can understand anything about religions. 

      1. PROPHET.T Avatar

        If your theory  is  true, then all people who live in the  middle east must  be  experts on  what  is  going on,and by now  they  should  have  found  solutions to all of their  problems.

        1. PROPHET PLEASE GO TO YOU TUBE AND SEARCH (LEBANESE RAP PIERRE HASHASH) IT TOOK ME 5 REPLAYS TO UNDERSTAND IT BUT HIS LYRICS ARE OUTSTANDING AND COME AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO A BETTER LEBANON ,,,LET ME KNOW WAHT YOU THINK OF IT.

        2. PROPHET.T Avatar

          geo metro,
          Thanks for the recommendation;Although not  a big  fan of RAP, but I found  the  lyric smooth  enough to  understand  after three  tires.lol
          Artists and poets always reflect the  true thinking of their  own  society. I think his words  are  a true reflection of  the  silent  majority of Lebanese  who  just  want to  live  with  peace .

  3. Sarkozy the clown is speaking. It would be better if Mr.Sarkozy focuses his attention on the domestic European issues. Let me remind the viewers Europe is in deep trouble ecocomically speaking.

    1. shankarees Avatar

      This is crap!

  4.  Avatar

    Sarkozy the clown is speaking. It would be better if Mr.Sarkozy focuses his attention on the domestic European issues. Let me remind the viewers Europe is in deep trouble ecocomically speaking.

    1.  Avatar

      This is crap!

  5. josephphdman Avatar
    josephphdman

    it looks like the rgeme is finished wether we like it or not, and  the decision lay in the hands of the super power countries and they have made up there mind for regeme change in syria ,  the christians are well treated in syria under the assad regeme , but when the new governement take charge ,if it will consist of muslims brothershood ,the christians , will  suffer  a lot , along with other minorities, specially the alawites ,but that does,nt change the mind of politics and superpower countries,as sometimes they see it as a formula that they are sacrificing the few to save the rest of the world; the christians in syria have to be prepared for the worst ,it may happened to them worst than had happened to the iraqui christians, they should start leaving now and come to lebanon ,to stay ahead of the touble that is comming to them in syria soon. lebanon have 1 milion armenians  ,500,000 palestinian  ,and 100,000 iraquis,it might as well absorb 2 milions syrians christians and other minorities refugees ,they will be a lot safer in lebanon ,and the patria rai better start finding them homes in lebanon.

    1. shankarees Avatar

      There was a similar situation during the Greek independence war.  Exchange of citizens happened and most Orthodox (Greeks) of Turkey moved to Greece while Turks moved to Turkey.  The same happened on Cyprus when the Turks invaded the north of the island.

      The patriarch’s fears are justified; however, what he had to say about Hezbollah or the need Assad are a major disappointment for any reasonable person.  Rai had no right to express what he did, unless the council of Maronite Bishops delegated him so to say.  Did they?  I doubt it.

  6.  Avatar

    it looks the rgeme its finished wether we like it or not, and  the decision lay in the hand of the super power countries and they have made up there mind for regeme change in syria ,  the christians are well treated in syria under the assad regeme , but when the new governement take charge ,if it will consist of muslims brothershood ,the christians , will  suffer  a lot , along with other minorities, specially the alawites ,but that does,nt change the mind of politics and superpower countries,as sometimes they see it as a formula that they are sacrificing the few to save the rest of the world; the christians in syria have to be prepared for the worst ,it may happened to them worst than had happened to the iraqui christians, they should start leaving now and come to lebanon ,to stay ahead of the touble that is comming to them in syria soon. lebanon have 1 milion armenians  ,500,000 palestinian  ,and 100,000 iraquis,it might as well absorb 2 milions syrians christians refugees ,they will be a lot safer in lebanon ,and the patria rai better start finding them homes in lebanon.

    1.  Avatar

      There was a similar situation during the Greek independence war.  Exchange of citizens happened and most Orthodox (Greeks) of Turkey moved to Greece while Turks moved to Turkey.  The same happened on Cyprus when the Turks invaded the north of the island.

      The patriarch’s fears are justified; however, what he had to say about Hezbollah or the need Assad are a major disappointment for any reasonable person.  Rai had no right to express what he did, unless the council of Maronite Bishops delegated him so to say.  Did they?  I doubt it.

  7. Patriarch Beshara Rai, why don’t worry about your own country and leave the Syrian alone and before you defend the regime in Syria and concerned about the minority why don’t look around in Lebanon and see what Hezbollah did he took the whole government hostage and does the minority have a voice in Lebanon now. Please would any body tell me why someone like you try to defend Assad????? are you getting any thing for it?/ because I don;’t see any thing else good about the regime, and would you Please tell me how the Regime who come from minority protect the right of the majority the Sunni in the country for the last 50 years????and would tell us how many he killed from the Sunni??? or our blood don’t count brother. Stay away from politics because you’re not good at it.

    1. THE ONLY JOB POSITION SPIRITUAL LEADERS FROM ANY RELIGION IS THE COUNCELING AND ADMINISTRTATING OF SPIRITUAL FOOD  AND GODLY ADVICE WITH NO POLITICAL PRETENSE.

      JUST AS ANY COUNTRY WITH NO DOCTORS AND AVAILABILITY OF MEDICINE WOULD RESULT IN UNHEALTHY CITIZENS, LEBANESE CITIZENS SHOWED THEIR LACK OF SPIRITUALITY AND ABILITY TO SLAY ONE ANOTHER DUE TO THE ABSENCE OF TRUE SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP  PURSUADING THEM THAT KILLING IS NOT THE WAY OF A GOD FEARING PERSON.

      A TIMELY SAMPLE OF MY POINT  IS THE 911 ATTACK AND SEEING THE HUMAN LOSS AND DEVASTATION TO INNOCENT FAMILLY AND CHILDREN, YET OSAMA AND HIS COHORDS WERE CONVINCED THAT THEY WERE CARRIYNG OUT THE WILL OF GOD… PERFECT EXAMPLE OF A SPIRITUAL POISONED OR MALNUTRIONED PERSON.

      THE HUMAN CONCIENCE IS NEVER DEVELOPED AND TRAINED FROM POLITICAL ADVICE OR STANCE BUT RELIES ON  GOOD PARENTING AND SPRITUAL EXAMPLES FROM OUR PAST.

  8. Patriarch Beshara Rai, why don’t worry about your own country and leave the Syrian alone and before you defend the regime in Syria and concerned about the minority why don’t look around in Lebanon and see what Hezbollah did he took the whole government hostage and does the minority have a voice in Lebanon now. Please would any body tell me why someone like you try to defend Assad????? are you getting any thing for it?/ because I don;’t see any thing else good about the regime, and would you Please tell me how the Regime who come from minority protect the right of the majority the Sunni in the country for the last 50 years????and would tell us how many he killed from the Sunni??? or our blood don’t count brother. Stay away from politics because you’re not good at it.

    1. THE ONLY JOB POSITION SPIRITUAL LEADERS FROM ANY RELIGION IS THE COUNCELING AND ADMINISTRTATING OF SPIRITUAL FOOD  AND GODLY ADVICE WITH NO POLITICAL PRETENSE.

      JUST AS ANY COUNTRY WITH NO DOCTORS AND AVAILABILITY OF MEDICINE WOULD RESULT IN UNHEALTHY CITIZENS, LEBANESE CITIZENS SHOWED THEIR LACK OF SPIRITUALITY AND ABILITY TO SLAY ONE ANOTHER DUE TO THE ABSENCE OF TRUE SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP  PURSUADING THEM THAT KILLING IS NOT THE WAY OF A GOD FEARING PERSON.

      A TIMELY SAMPLE OF MY POINT  IS THE 911 ATTACK AND SEEING THE HUMAN LOSS AND DEVASTATION TO INNOCENT FAMILLY AND CHILDREN, YET OSAMA AND HIS COHORDS WERE CONVINCED THAT THEY WERE CARRIYNG OUT THE WILL OF GOD… PERFECT EXAMPLE OF A SPIRITUAL POISONED OR MALNUTRIONED PERSON.

      THE HUMAN CONCIENCE IS NEVER DEVELOPED AND TRAINED FROM POLITICAL ADVICE OR STANCE BUT RELIES ON  GOOD PARENTING AND SPRITUAL EXAMPLES FROM OUR PAST.

  9. antar2011 Avatar

    i am shocked!

    before it was the mufti
    now the Rai..

    please explain!

  10.  Avatar

    i am shocked!

    before it was the mufti
    now the Rai..

    please explain!

  11. Right on Patriarch. The last thing we need need is another IRAQ. The Christians were butchered in Iraq by the Salafites, Rai have every right to be concerned.

    1. Lebanon is NOT Iraq … Or do we have to remind you that the Maronites when cornered will kick ass BIG TIME? Remember the civil war? The plan of Kissinger? and we remain…

      1. I meant the Christians in Syria NOT Lebanon. We can hold our own when united.

  12.  Avatar

    Right on Patriarch. The last thing we need need is another IRAQ. The Christians were butchered in Iraq by the Salafites, Rai have every right to be concerned.

    1. Lebanon is NOT Iraq … Or do we have to remind you that the Maronites when cornered will kick ass BIG TIME? Remember the civil war? The plan of Kissinger? and we remain…

      1.  Avatar

        I meant the Christians in Syria NOT Lebanon. We can hold our own if united. 

  13. I could understand Rai fears based on what happened in Egypt and based on what;s happening in Iraq ,but he needs to be reminded also that the Christian Lebanese suffered and still suffering from the most brutal attack on them since 1975 by the Alawite regime,thousand killed ,kidnapped and still in prison until now. The Alawites destroyed the Christian Lebanon and transform it to ” Shariat El Ghab” to Hizbollah lawless Khomeini Iranian style .with no respect to laws of the land .Rai can look and see wilayat al Fakih with Nasrallah coming on TV every 2 weeks to tell us how things will go or should be going.
    Now for sure Rai have his reasons based on the Sunni speeches that always address the christians in all middle east as second class ,but he needs to remember thta the previous Syrian president were much better than Assad regardless that all of them considered Lebanon as part of them, but Hosni El Zaim was so modern that the fanatic moslem were outraged also was Chchakli and so on… with the Assad Lebanon lived is darkest ages and Rai regardless he have fears or not ,can’t assume what will happen in the future of Syria  , as he’s not a fortune teller , second he can’t go against the aspiration of the Syrian people who are being slaughtered  ,some are beheaded , also when some Lebanese are still in Jail. The Maronite church should be the leader of Human freedom and don’ t talk Politics that what Sfeir did without speeches specifying Moslem Brotherhood . Rai is creating a rift larger that it is now between Christians instead of healing it and aligning himself with Assad in a time where his chances are very slim to Stay alive ( I predict he will be assassinated very soon suddenly) is a big mistake. Until we have the Patriarch/Priest and the Sheiks and Imams restricted to thir churches and mosque ,the Patriarch has to be more human and more Christian as the Christ , he should be with the poor and oppressed , Rai position placed him  with the crooks and criminals and he’s neutralizing the Lebanese army role by tying   the Hizbollah arms to the return of Palestinian refugee to their land,well Mr Rai the refugees are not going to go back not in your lifetime and not in Nasrallah lifetime, so you need us to watch Nasrallah army dictating our life. Rai was very naive and inexperience in his speech, I already don’t like him by not opening his mouth about beating the priest and stealing the land in Lasa -Jbeil, he’s aligning himself maa el wekef and this is not a courageous Christian position .

  14. Maybe I cold understand Rai fears based on what happened in Egypt and based on what happened in Iraq ,but he need to be reminded also that the Christian Lebanese suffered and still suffering from the most brutal attack on them since 1975 ,thousand killed ,kidnapped and still in prison The Alawite destroyed the Christian Lebanon and transform it to ” Shariat El Ghab” to Hizbollah lawless Khomeini Iranian style .with no respect to laws of the land .Rai can look and see wilayat al Fakih with Nasrallah coming on TV every 2 weeks to tell us how things will go or should be going.
    Now for sure Rai have his reasons based on the Sunni speeches that always address the christians in all middle east as second class ,but he needs to remember thta the previous Syrian president were much better than Assad regardless that all of them considered Lebanon as part of them, but Hosni El Zaim was so modern that the fanatci moslem were outraged also was Chchakli and so on… with the Assad Lebanon lived is darkest ages and Rai regardless he have fears or not ,can’t assume what will happen in the future of Syria  , as he’s not a fortune teller , second he can’t go against the aspiration of the Syrian people who are being slaughtered  ,some are beheaded , also when some Lebanese are still in Jail. The Maronite church should be the leader of Human freedom and don’ t talk Politics that what Sfeir did without speeches specifying Moslem Brotherhood . Rai is creating a rift larger that it is now between Christians instead of healing it and aligning himself with Assad in a time where his chances are very slim to Stay alive ( I predict he will be assassinated very soon suddenly) is a big mistake. Until we have the Patriarch/Priest and the Sheiks and Imams restricted to thir churches and mosque ,the Patriarch has to be more human and more Christian as the Christ , he should be with the poor and oppressed , Rai position placed him  with the crooks and criminals and he’s neutralizing the Lebanese army role by tying   the Hizbollah arms to the return of Palestinian refugee to their land,well Mr Rai the refugees are not going to go back not in your lifetime and not in Nasrallah lifetime, so you need us to watch Nasrallah army dictating our life. Rai was very naive and inexperience in his speech, I already don’t like him by not opening his mouth about beating the priest and stealing the land in Lasa -Jbeil, he’s aligning himslef maa el wekef and this is not a courageous Christian position .

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