Al-Rahi in U.S. Next Week to Attend Conference on Christians

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi is expected to head to the United States on September 8 to participate in a conference on the conditions of Christians in Lebanon and the region.

According to al-Joumhouria newspaper, al-Rahi will travel on Monday to the U.S.

The Patriarch headed over the weekend to the Vatican to brief Pope Francis on the latest developments regarding the presidential deadlock and to discuss with him and other senior officials the conditions of Iraqi Christians.

Islamic State militants in Iraq have been waging a campaign against minorities in Iraq, forcing thousands of people to flee their homes.

Pope Francis had called recently for collective action through the United Nations to "stop unjust aggression" in Iraq.

Lebanon's top Christian post was left vacant in May this year when the rival MPs failed to elect a successor to President Michel Suleiman over their differences on a compromise candidate.

H.K.

G.K.