Chamoun calls Rai’s statements on Syria, Hezbollah “a fatal sin”

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National Liberal Party leader MP Dori Chamoun told Al-Liwaa newspaper in remarks published on Monday that Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rai’s statements on Syria and Hezbollah’s arms are “a fatal sin.”

“Rai has abandoned the Lebanese people’s principles… and the Syrian regime has abandoned the Christians,” Chamoun said. He added that he “was not convinced” by the patriarch’s clarification of his previous statements.

Chamoun commented on a Syrian delegation’s visit to Rai, saying, “The visit came after Rai gave them a present they have never dreamed of,” in reference to the patriarch’s pro-Syrian regime statements.

Rai came under fire earlier in September 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.

The patriarch claimed after returning to Lebanon that the remarks he made while in Paris “were taken out of context and have nothing to do” with his personal opinion.

Rai met on Wednesday with a delegation of Syrian religious figures headed by Damascus Mufti Adnan Afyouni.

Rai reiterated his controversial position on Syria and Hezbollah’s arms during a meeting Friday with President Michel Suleiman who is planning to renew his call for rival leaders to engage in national dialogue to end their deep political divisions, sources said.

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.

Aoun

Chamoun also slammed Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun and said that the latter contributed to “the country’s destruction,” adding that Aoun’s “dream is to become president.”

Hezbollah

Asked about Hezbollah, Chamoun said that the Shiite group wants to change the demographics of the country by making it a Shiite one.

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Comments

12 responses to “Chamoun calls Rai’s statements on Syria, Hezbollah “a fatal sin””

  1. ghzayel Avatar

    ya dori,

    you are absolutely right on target criticizing patriarch rai for his recent controversal and contradictory statements compared to what he was saying not long ago before he became patriarch.

    but unfortunately for you and for most of the 14th of march reactionary bystanders, you do not provide any specific plans of action or strategies to counter rai’s statements after he switched sides and seemed like he aligned himself almost openly with the 8th of march folks. 
     
    since you and most of the 14th of march folks do not have anything similar to the military apparatus, the propaganda machine and the genuine financial and political regional support of hezballah and their allies in the 8th of march camp, your statements are bound to fall on deaf ears.

    1. Patience2 Avatar
      Patience2

      You know … what you say is ‘just so’.  Has anybody EVER accomplished anything important while just being a ‘couch potato’?

  2.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    ya dori,

    you are absolutely right on target criticizing patriarch rai for his recent controversal and contradictory statements compared to what he was saying not long ago before he became patriarch.

    but unfortunately for you and for most of the 14th of march reactionary bystanders, you do not provide any specific plans of action or strategies to counter rai’s statements after he switched sides and seemed like he aligned himself almost openly with the 8th of march folks. 
     
    since you and most of the 14th of march folks do not have anything similar to the military apparatus, the propaganda machine and the genuine financial and political regional support of hezballah and their allies in the 8th of march camp, your statements are bound to fall on deaf ears.

    1.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      You know … what you say is ‘just so’.  Has anybody EVER accomplished anything important while just being a ‘couch potato’?

  3. libnan1 Avatar

    Dori you are no Danny, as a Chamouni/Aouni I consider you as a paid faret who belong to the FARTEEN camp. Look up to the skies, follow the light and it will lead you to the promise land. 

    1. 5thDrawer Avatar
      5thDrawer

      The only fatal sins are the ones you cause to yourself, like being stupid enough to drive while drunk, or looking at the skies and not watching where you’re walking … trying to feed a bear for a photo-op also comes to mind.
      And if a light blinds you, then don’t take another step. I promise it could be a bad one. 🙂
        Too many Lebanese love to take the next step … and argue silly points to death.

  4.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    Dori you are no Danny, as a Chamouni/Aouni I consider you as a paid faret who belong to the FARTEEN camp. Look up to the skies, follow the light and it will lead you to the promise land. 

    1.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      The only fatal sins are the ones you cause to yourself, like being stupid enough to drive while drunk, or looking at the skies and not watching where you’re walking … trying to feed a bear for a photo-op also comes to mind.
      And if a light blinds you, then don’t take another step. I promise it could be a bad one. 🙂
        Too many Lebanese love to take the next step … and argue silly points to death.

  5. Chamoun calls Rai’s statements on Syria, Hezbollah “a fatal sin”
     

  6. Chamoun calls Rai’s statements on Syria, Hezbollah “a fatal sin”

  7. Chamoun calls Rai’s statements on Syria, Hezbollah “a fatal sin”
     

  8. Chamoun calls Rai’s statements on Syria, Hezbollah “a fatal sin”

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