Series of Solidarity Meetings with Al-Rahi in Bkerke

The Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi received the US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa and his wife at the patriarchal palace in Bkerke.

Issa affirmed after the meeting that the goal of his visit to the palace was "to express to His Beatitude the Patriarch all the support and respect he deserves. I came to express my displeasure at what happened over the weekend. I believe this matter is inappropriate in Lebanon because the world must know that Lebanon is the country known for coexistence, meaning all religions live together, and this is what distinguishes Lebanon. Certainly, no one supports what happened. As I learned, His Beatitude the Patriarch received many messages and positions supporting him and condemning the targeting of him. I think the people who carried out this act may not find Lebanon suitable for them, so let them look for another country to live in. It is important for everyone to know that we in America also do not like this at all."

Ambassador Issa said in response to journalists' questions about the reported statement by Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri that decision-making moved from Anjar to Awkar: "I respect Berri greatly and know that he is doing everything he can to steer the country's affairs on the right path. I will see him today and I think there will be a discussion between us that will allow me to understand what he meant by that statement. There is no decision in Awkar; decisions are wherever they are."

Regarding the possibility of the President of the Republic visiting the United States and the escalation of internal tensions as a result of this visit, and the expansion of Israeli aggression if he does not go, Issa affirmed that "as far as I am concerned, if the President of the Republic visits President Trump, there is no loss. The President can go and present his decisions clearly before President Trump and before Netanyahu, and then President Trump will be the witness. After the President returns to Lebanon, we can begin negotiations. I do not know why people consider this a loss or a concession. I do not understand what this concession is. If you state your opinion before the US President, that means you are going with honor, just like him, exactly like a third president, you state your opinion and present your points. I do not know why people consider this a concession."

Regarding the issue that the problem lies in the presence of Netanyahu, Ambassador Issa replied: "Is Netanyahu a bogeyman? He is a second negotiator."

In response to the question of internal coordination among the presidents before going to negotiations, Issa clarified: "The President of the Republic will go to present all of Lebanon's demands, the most important of which is its territorial sovereignty, and Hezbollah wants this because its existence is linked to the recovery of all Lebanese territory. When America adopts, and Israel says it does not want any piece of land from Lebanon but wants peace, that means there is no justification for Hezbollah's existence afterward. If it wants to remain, that means its 'cause' is not Lebanese territory but something else. This is apparent, I think. At present, our efforts are focused on making Lebanon understand that America is helping and wants to preserve Lebanon's independence, economy, and honor, and I personally, along with the US government, am trying to tell the whole world this."

Regarding Patriarch Al-Rahi's opinion on the negotiations, Issa pointed to "His Beatitude's interest in peace in Lebanon. He cares about Lebanon returning to what it was. Lebanon is a country of coexistence, and His Beatitude knows this and is in constant contact with leaders of other sects."

Regarding the purpose of his meeting with Berri today, Issa affirmed that "the meeting with President Berri today is to find out why the President of the Republic does not visit and to understand the problem. There was coordination, and I do not know why it stopped, and I do not know why in Lebanon the presidents do not talk to each other; let them talk to each other regardless of the framework."

Regarding the possibility of a security explosion in Lebanon soon, Issa said: "I do not think Lebanon is heading toward a security explosion because everyone, from all sects, wants what is best for Lebanon, and what is happening today is just media demonstrations."

Among the visitors to the patriarchal palace was a delegation of mayors from Keserwan El-Ftouh, headed by the President of the Union of Municipalities of Keserwan El-Ftouh, Elie Al-Baaino, who expressed on behalf of the delegation condemnation and denunciation of the campaign against Patriarch Al-Rahi, noting that "today's visit to the patriarchal palace in Bkerke is to confirm our support for the positions of His Beatitude Patriarch Al-Rahi and everything related to these positions and everything that helps establish civil peace in Lebanon and what touches some religious symbols. We denounce such matters because we have nothing but the national positions we support. Today we placed all our capabilities at the disposal of our Lord to help put matters on the right track."

Al-Rahi also received the Secretary-General of the Maronite League, Paul Youssef Kanaan, and member of the executive body Patricia El-Hawat, in a solidarity visit during which they condemned the targeting of the Patriarch's dignity, stating that "these campaigns are worthless," and he kept them for lunch.