REPORT: Rai: Christians did not hinder the passing of a new electoral law

         
Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Beshara Boutros Rai regretted on Friday the failure to reach an agreement between the parliamentary blocs over a new electoral law, describing the situation as "disappointing and mistrustful".         

During a press conference held at Beirut airport upon his arrival, Rai said that the Christians in Lebanon are united, stressing that they are not the ones who pose a problem, since they did present a draft law which was rejected. 

Representatives of main Christian parties, the Free Patriotic Movement, the Lebanese Forces, the Kataeb and the Marada movement had agreed on the presentation of the Orthodox Gathering draft law at the parliament's General Authority session upon the consent of Bkerke. However that law was not voted upon on the May 15th session for lack of quorum at the parliamentary session.

Commenting on Hezbollah’s participation in Syria’s al-Qusayr, Rai said that Lebanon should not be dragged into neighboring battles, noting that he prefers that the Lebanese people commit to the Baabda Declaration.         

On Wednesday, Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai participated in the daily mass of his holiness Pope Francis at the Vatican. Following the mass, Rai held a meeting with the Pope where he handed him over a report on the situation of Christians in the Middle East.        

Patriarch Rai has been on a pastoral tour in Latin America, since April, where he visited Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Costa Rica, Colombia and Venezuela.


For the full report, please click on the VIDEO above.