March 14’s Christians meet with Rai in Bkerke

Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai met on Friday with a number of top Christian leaders from the March 14 bloc. The delegation included Kataeb leader Amine Gemayel, MPs Setrida Geagea, Dori Chamoun and Boutros Harb, former MPs Fares Souaid, Nayla Mouawad and Kamil Ziade, in the presence of bishops Samir Mazloum and Boulos Sayah.         

The delegation's talks with the Patriarch revolved around their fears over the situation in Lebanon and the Arab region, which include the parliamentary electoral law, the situation of Christians in public administrations, standards of living among other issues.

Former president Amine Gemayel who left the meeting before the delegation, said that the meeting with the patriarch was cordial and yielded positive results, hoping that it could set the base for a new era of peace in Lebanon.

"We want what is good for the country, and we wish to pull out Lebanon from the mire it is in", he said, stressing on the necessity of not involving Lebanon in the Syrian crisis.

Gemayel said that the deterioration of the governmental performance cannot remain as such, adding that the March 14 coalition is drafting a minute to define its position on all issues.

Gemayel said that Rai's statements concerning Hezbollah's arms and Syria were constructive, adding "the dark cloud between us and Bkerke has disseminated."

For his part, MP Boutros Harb said that March 14 bloc’s meeting with the patriarch folds the page of misunderstandings between March 14’s Christians and Bkerke, stressing that communication and dialogue with Rai will continue.

Harb said that Rai’s statements were mishandled, stressing that Bkerke remains to be the religious and national reference of Lebanese Christians in the country.

“This honest gathering signifies the beginning of a new era between us and Bkerke”, he said.

As for MP Setrida Geagea, she said she was surprised by Rai’s openness and warmth and described the gathering as “historical and positive”. She concluded that the coalition’s wish is for Bkerke to remain above all internal conflicts.

March 14 General Secretariat Coordinator Fares Souaid reiterated what was previously said that Bkerke should remain above all political discourse, calling for a unified stance between all political powers.

“Lebanon is going through a difficult phase and issues do not only center on elections”, Souaid added.

Finally, MP Nayla Mouawad said that there are political principles that should not be changed, adding “we will meet Rai again away from media spotlight."