Rai denounces Ashrafieh's criminal attack

Maronite Patriarch Mar Beshara Boutros Rai who is currently visiting Rome, condemned on Saturday the terrorist car bomb blast in Achrafiyeh which caused the death of several people, including top security official General Wissam al-Hassan, and left over 100 persons wounded.

Rai expressed his deep condolences, in his name and the name of the Maronite church, to President Michel Sleiman, members of the ISF, and families of all the victims in yesterday's blast, wishing a swift recovery to all the injured.

"We sternly denounce these criminal methods and we urge all the Lebanese people to stand united in the face of the powers of evil which desire to separate between us, so that Lebanon remains a specimen of coexistence," said the Patriarch.

In this context, the Patriarch thanked Pope Benedict XVI for his compassionate letter and prayers during these difficult times.