President Michel Aoun greeted the Lebanese people from Bkerke on the occasion of the Christmas Holiday.
Following a close meeting with Maronite Patriarch Beshara Bourtros Rai held prior to Christmas Mass, Aoun stressed that he will exert every effort to make the upcoming year filled peace and continuous successes.
During his holy sermon, Patriarch Rai stressed that Lebanon is in need for a comprehensive national reconciliation, hoping that President Aoun will be able to overturn the sectarian and religious conflicts in the Middle East and the West.
Rai called for dealing with the issues faced by the Syrian refugees, emphasizing the need to work closely with the International Community in order to help them return to their country and provide them with the needed assistance so that they can rebuild their homes and regain their rights as citizens.
Following the mass, Rai met with Mufti of Tyre Sheikh Hassan Abdallah heading a delegation representing Speaker Nabih Berri.