Rai announces Pope’s visit, Sleiman says no to going back to 1960 electoral law

Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai said during Easter Mass on Sunday that Pope Benedict XVI will visit Lebanon from September 14th to the 16th. He will meet with religious figures and prominent figures including President Michel Sleiman.       

Rai said that Sleiman is trying to demolish the walls of discrimination and division and spread the spirit of fraternity, cooperation and appurtenance to a nation that needs all of its citizens to reach stability and prosperity.       

Before leading Easter Mass at the patriarchal seat of Bkerke, Rai held a closed meeting with President Michel Sleiman.         

Following the meeting, Sleiman said that no one can talk about boycotting the Patriarch when the country’s president is present, adding that the Patriarch is a reference that must be respected.           

Sleiman hoped that Lebanon does not go back to the 1960 electoral law.      

Sleiman slammed the assassination attempt against Lebanese Forces leader Sami Geagea, and hoped that concerned authorities will arrest the perpetrators as soon as possible. “We must not let anything shake our stability and peace”.