Suleiman Marks al-Rahi’s Visit to Jbeil with Dinner in his Honor

President Michel Suleiman is throwing a dinner banquet on Saturday in Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi’s honor on the occasion of his visit of the region of Jbeil, reported the daily An Nahar Saturday.

Speaker Nabih Berri, his deputy Farid Makari, Prime Minister Najib Miqati his deputy Samir Moqbel, Papal Ambassador Gabriele Caccia, and a number of ministers, MPs, and heads of Christian parties, including Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel, Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh, and FPM leader MP Michel Aoun are also invited.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea will be unable to attend because he is abroad in Paris.

March 14 General Secretariat coordinator Fares Soaid, who is invited to the dinner, told the daily that the meeting was scheduled months in advance, adding: “We shouldn’t look too much into it on the political level.”

“We will attend the meeting due to our moral and social obligations,” he said.

Meanwhile, Suleiman’s circles to As Safir newspaper in remarks published on Saturday that a strong friendship binds the president and the patriarch, as does their interest in uniting Christian ranks.

No closed-door meetings are expected to be held, strictly speeches by Suleiman and al-Rahi, they stressed.

Suleiman will focus on national principles and resuming the national dialogue as the only way to end disputes, an official source told As Safir.

Al-Jumhuriya newspaper reported on Saturday that the talks at the dinner banquet will likely center on local, regional, and international developments.