Patriarch Rai meets Kanaan, Riachi in Bkerke

Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai met on Saturday with Free Patriotic Movement MP Ibrahim Kanaan and Lebanese Forces official Melhem Riachi in Bkerke.

Kanaan and Riachi handed out Patriarch Rai a copy of the Declaration of Intent signed between both parties.

Following the meeting, Kanaan said that the declaration of intent “is a new hope for Christians in Lebanon.”

He also noted that the declaration confirmed that the Lebanese people can reach consensus over disputable issues.

For his part, Reach stressed that the 30-year sharp rift between the Christians ended and will not return.

Last Tuesday, a meeting was held between Change and Reform Bloc leader MP Michel Aoun and Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea at Aoun’s residence in Rabieh.

The meeting was held in the presence of MP Ibrahim Kanaan, and LF Media Official Melhem Riachi.

Following the meeting, both MP Kanaan and Riachi recited the Declaration of Intent whereby the two parties stressed commitment to dialogue and underlined their faith in Lebanon, the coexistence formula and the Constitution.

The two parties also urged the election of a strong president who is embraced by his community and able of reassuring the other components of the country. The two parties agreed to reinforce state institutions and resort to the law to end any dispute.

They agreed not to resort to weapons or violence and to back the Lebanese army "because it is the sole institution that can preserve sovereignty and the country's national security."

The two parties said that they will not allow the creation of a buffer zone in Lebanon or the use of the Lebanese border for the infiltration of militants.

They also called for an electoral law that respects equal power-sharing and reinstates balance in state institutions.

In turn, Geagea said that he wished this meeting had taken place 30 years ago, adding that he came to Rabieh for the coming together of two political forces “that have positive influence on Lebanon's affairs.”

For his part, Aoun said that the meeting “was a gift” for the Christians, adding that the two parties are adamant on working together to implement the Declaration of Intent.