Lebanon: Rai Invites Aoun to Reconcile with Arab, Int’l Community

Arab World

June 29th, 6:14am

Beirut - Asharq Al-Awsat

Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai during Sunday’s mass. NNA

Lebanon’s Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rai on Sunday strongly criticized a national unity meeting chaired by President Michel Aoun, saying it worsened the internal political division that originally caused the loss of confidence in all politicians and those in charge of state affairs. Instead, Rai invited the President to set the stage for a comprehensive national meeting in collaboration with friendly states, to reconcile Lebanon with the Arab and international community before it becomes too late. During his Sunday sermon in al-Diman, he said the current situation “requires that all components of our society and our state come together to save people from starving.” He said the Baabda Palace meeting held last week failed to assure this solidarity because it “lacked proper preparation.” The Patriarch also denounced Judge Mohammed Mazeh’s order banning any Lebanese or foreign media outlet working in Lebanon from airing or publishing local comments by US Ambassador Dorothy Shea for a year. "We deeply regret this sudden judicial order,” he said. Rai regretted that the order was issued on a holiday and in violation of legal principles, distorting the image of the Lebanese judiciary, breaching the constitution, international treaties and diplomatic agreements. In an interview with Al-Hadath television on Friday, Shea said Hezbollah's behavior was preventing Lebanon from properly dealing with a deep economic crisis. Mazeh said on Saturday that Shea's comments had incited sectarian strife.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2360326/lebanon-rai-invites-aoun-reconcile-arab-int%E2%80%99l-community