Ya Libnan

Lebanon’s Patriarch received by Hezbollah, allies in south Lebanon

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Lebanon’s Christian Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rai kicked off a three day tour of South Lebanon on Saturday, National News Agency reported.

Rai arrived in the city of Tyre and was received by Hezbollah minister Mohammad Fneish, Amal MPs Ali Khreiss, Abdel Majid Saleh and Michel Moussa, as well as local Muftis and residents.

The patriarch also delivered a speech in which he called for “partnership in order to build the state,” the NNA added.

Patriarch under fire

In a related development Phalange party MP Nadim Gemayel on Saturday said that the Patriarch “did not clarify” his recent position concerning Hezbollah’s use of arms.

“The patriarch did not clarify his position; it is very important and dangerous…and [he] cannot have double standards regarding the arms’ issue,” the MP told LBC television.

He added that Hezbollah’s weapons “threaten and frustrate the Lebanese people.”

Rai came under fire earlier this month from the opposition March 14 parties but won praise from March 8 politicians for indirectly defending Hezbollah’s arms and linking the party’s arsenal to the termination of Israeli occupation of Lebanese territory and the return of Palestinian refugees to their homeland . Even MP Walid Jumblatt who defected from March 14 alliance was very critical of Rai’s statements.

Rai emphasized during a trip to Paris that only when the international community exerts pressure on Israel to vacate the occupied Lebanese territory ( the Shebaa Farms, Kfar Shouba hills and the Lebanese part of the disputed border village of Ghajar ) and Israel allows Palestinians in Lebanon to return to their homes, can Hezbollah be asked to hand over its arms because they will no longer be needed.”

Rai added that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is “open-minded” and should be given more chances to implement the reforms he already announced.

Assad’s regime has cracked down on a string of unprecedented protests across his country, killing more than 2,700 civilian protesters since the uprising began in March, according to the United Nations.

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Comments

16 responses to “Lebanon’s Patriarch received by Hezbollah, allies in south Lebanon”

  1. 5thDrawer Avatar
    5thDrawer

    ‘Yeah though I walk through the shadow of the cave I fear not …. ‘

    1. Hannibal Avatar
      Hannibal

      lol

  2. Avatar
    Anonymous

    ‘Yeah though I walk through the shadow of the cave I fear not …. ‘

  3. Avatar
    Anonymous

    ‘Yeah though I walk through the shadow of the cave I fear not …. ‘

  4. Avatar
    Anonymous

    ‘Yeah though I walk through the shadow of the cave I fear not …. ‘

  5. Patience2 Avatar
    Patience2

    Does this remind you of ‘Daniel in the Lion’s Den’, or could this be the entrance of the ‘Lion’s Trainer’??

  6. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Does this remind you of ‘Daniel in the Lion’s Den’, or could this be the entrance of the ‘Lion’s Trainer’??

  7. libnan1 Avatar
    libnan1

    We are proud of you our Patriarch on your historic visit to our south. The south that stood proud in the face of aggression and occupation. We are proud of the coexistence in the south where you were able to hear the bells ring and celebrate mass in churches that existed for thousands of years. Unfortunately you were unable to do the same thing in our beloved Shouf. As you visit the rest of Lebanon please make a note where real coexistence took place, where churches still stand proud. Convey your notes to the Lebanese leaders and make the south as the example of what Lebanon should be. 
    May God bless you any give you the wisdom to lead our church for better future.       

  8. libnan1 Avatar
    libnan1

    We are proud of you our Patriarch on your historic visit to our south. The south that stood proud in the face of aggression and occupation. We are proud of the coexistence in the south where you were able to hear the bells ring and celebrate mass in churches that existed for thousands of years. Unfortunately you were unable to do the same thing in our beloved Shouf. As you visit the rest of Lebanon please make a note where real coexistence took place, where churches still stand proud. Convey your notes to the Lebanese leaders and make the south as the example of what Lebanon should be. 
    May God bless you any give you the wisdom to lead our church for better future.       

  9. Avatar
    Anonymous

    We are proud of you our Patriarch on your historic visit to our south. The south that stood proud in the face of aggression and occupation. We are proud of the coexistence in the south where you were able to hear the bells ring and celebrate mass in churches that existed for thousands of years. Unfortunately you were unable to do the same thing in our beloved Shouf. As you visit the rest of Lebanon please make a note where real coexistence took place, where churches still stand proud. Convey your notes to the Lebanese leaders and make the south as the example of what Lebanon should be. 
    May God bless you any give you the wisdom to lead our church for better future.       

  10. Adam Yonatan Ben Yoel Avatar
    Adam Yonatan Ben Yoel

    I miss Boutros Sfeir!

  11. Adam Yonatan Ben Yoel Avatar
    Adam Yonatan Ben Yoel

    I miss Boutros Sfeir!

  12. FadiAbboud Avatar
    FadiAbboud

    A Christian who supports the illegitimate Syrian president and his crimes against humanity as well as Hezbollah’s weapons of intimidation, assassinations and war is obviously irrational and unholy ..
    I pray for you Mr.Rai

    1. libnan1 Avatar
      libnan1

      Booooooo

  13. Avatar
    Anonymous

    A Christian who supports the illegitimate Syrian president and his crimes against humanity as well as Hezbollah’s weapons of intimidation, assassinations and war is obviously irrational and unholy ..
    I pray for you Mr.Rai

    1. Avatar
      Anonymous

      Booooooo

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