Al-Rahi Supports Unification of Cyprus, Says Visit Aimed at Consolidating Ties with Maronites there

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi backed on Friday the unification of Cyprus and said his visit to the island state was aimed at consolidating ties with its Maronite citizens.

During a meeting with the Cypriot president, Demetris Christofias, on a several day visit, al-Rahi said he discussed with U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon in October about the unification of Cyprus.

Cyprus was split in 1974 when Turkish troops invaded the northern third in response to a Greek-inspired coup in Nicosia aimed at uniting the island with Greece. Only Turkey recognizes the authorities in the northern sector.

Al-Rahi also thanked Cyprus for embracing the Maronites and the Lebanese who resorted to it during the Lebanese civil war.

“The historic Maronite roots in Cyprus go back to more than 1,000 years,” al-Rahi earlier said at the Maronite bishopric in Nicosia. “Our visit is aimed at renewing the bonds of friendship and respect with the civilian authorities and the local church.”

Before heading there, the patriarch said at Rafik Hariri International Airport that the trip “comes as part of pastoral visits that I am making.”

He told reporters that he intends to meet with followers both in the Greek and Turkish sides. Al-Rahi also said that he will hold talks with both officials and clergymen to consolidate ties.

The patriarch reiterated that the spirit of partnership and love is the best slogan to “build bridges.”

Al-Rahi is accompanied by Bishops Boulos Sayyah and Camille Zaidan, the head of the Catholic Media Center, Father Abdo Abou Kasam, and Bkirki spokesman Walid Ghayad.