In Diman, Akkar MPs Brief al-Rahi on Syrian Violations as Raad Slams March 14 Memo

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi said Thursday that all parties should play a unifying role in Lebanon in the current difficult circumstances, as a Hizbullah delegation criticized from Diman the memo submitted by the March 14 forces to President Michel Suleiman.

During the meeting that was also attended by member of the Muslim-Christian Council Hareth Shehab, al-Rahi called for openness through the coexistence in the country.

The Hizbullah members stayed for lunch after the meeting.

Speaking to reporters, MP Mohammed Raad, who led the delegation, noted that “the desecration of a monastery in Palestine by (Jewish) settlers proves that the Zionist enemy is the existential enemy against whom memos must be submitted to presidents and to the Security Council.”

“Rational people would not submit memos containing a hostile rhetoric and treating brothers as enemies,” Raad added.

The March 14 forces on Tuesday submitted to Suleiman a memo demanding the annulment of the security treaty with Syria, declaring the Syrian ambassador persona non grata, deploying U.N. peacekeepers on Syria’s border and referring ex-minister Michel Samaha’s case to the Judicial Council.

“The visit is aimed at stressing the path we have chosen together with the patriarch which involves constant communication and consultations over all the issues that concern Lebanon and all the Lebanese. We held extensive consultations, especially over the regional issues and the domestic political and social affairs,” Raad said.

According to Raad, talks also tackled Pope Benedict XVI’s imminent visit to Lebanon.

The lawmaker said Hizbullah totally welcomes the visit, describing it as a source of “welfare, relief and peace of mind in this country.”

The delegation’s talks with al-Rahi came several days after Hizbullah ministers failed to accompany Prime Minister Najib Miqati in his visit to the patriarch.

Miqati held talks with al-Rahi on Saturday along with several cabinet ministers.

Also on Thursday, al-Rahi met with a delegation from the towns of the Akkar district led by MPs Hadi Hbeish, Khaled al-Daher, Khaled Zahraman, Riad Rahhal, Khodr Habib and Nidal Tohme, and comprising mayors, municipality chiefs, priests and dozens of residents.

Daher thanked the patriarch for his historic visit to Akkar, saying “it came amid difficult circumstances the country is going through and amid the intimidation campaign against the Lebanese and the attempts to stir up strife among their ranks, especially after the foiling of the terrorist plot.”

MP Hbeish for his part briefed the patriarch on the “daily attacks” against several Akkar border towns by Syrian forces, urging him to “discuss this issue with President Michel Suleiman and the relevant leaderships.”