Rai kicks off four-day visit to Akkar

Maronite Patriarch Mar Beshara Boutros Rai kicked off his four day visit to Akkar region on Monday, with a visit to Abdeh agricultural center where he was received by Akkar's MPs as well as political and religious figures.                   

Rai called on all invited to the dialogue table by the President Michel Sleiman to participate in the dialogue, assume all responsibilities and raise all the fundamental issues related to the development of Lebanon.              

Rai called on the government to preserve the rights of its citizens, stressing the importance of the cooperation between political and administrative officials in Akkar to set up plans in order to meet the needs of the region and work on implementing these plans.         

“May God protect this region from explosions planned by evil minds and dead consciences”, Rai said.              

For his part, MP Hady Hbeish said: "Your determination to visit Akkar despite the security risks involved demonstrates your true love and compassion to the citizens of this region and reasserts your desire to look after the interest of all Maronites in Lebanon".           

In turn, Daher accused certain parties of seeking to provoke civil strife between Christians and Muslims. "There are some people who want to pit Christians against the Muslims but this plot was aborted and those who claim to protect Christians have been exposed", Daher explained, adding that “Lebanon's resurrection can only be achieved through democracy and freedom”.            

Mufti Akkar, Sheikh Osama Rifai said that Rai’s visit comes in a critical phase through which the country is passing, stressing the importance of mutual coexistence among the Lebanese people.