Suleiman Urges Commitment to Apostolic Exhortation to Maintain Dialogue in Lebanon
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
President Michel Suleiman noted on Sunday that there can be no development without peace and justice.
He said: “There is a need to commit to the Apostolic Exhortation in order for Lebanon to remain the country of dialogue and openness.”
He made his remarks during a farewell ceremony held in Pope Benedict XVI’s honor at Rafik Hariri International Airport.
The pope concluded on Sunday a three-day visit during which he signed the Apostolic Exhortation.
Suleiman added: “The exhortation includes guidelines for social and political reform and the need arises today for us to abide by its dictates.”
“There can be no peace without justice and the respect of human rights,” he continued.
He thanked the pontiff for his visit and numerous statements on Lebanon, its unity and independence.
He also thanked him for his efforts to protect it against any aggression, reiterating a pledge that Lebanon “will remain a nation of dialogue, openness, and mutual coexistence based on equal partnership among all of its sons.”
“You now leave the land of the cedars after you had delivered to it a message of peace during a time of changes,” said the president.
“Lebanon will maintain loyal to its ties with the Vatican,” declared Suleiman.
On regional developments, he noted: “The Arab revolts have potential for reform and democracy despite the violence witnessed.”
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16 September 2012, 19:10
Pope Benedict: You must continue on rejecting strife and instead seek brotherhood.
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16 September 2012, 19:10
Pope Benedict: I am happy to have been to the land of the cedars and Lebanon has always been a part of the house of God. I hope the people of this land will continue on living in peace with each other.
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16 September 2012, 19:08
Pope Benedict: I thank you all and God bless you. Signing the Apostolic Exhortation was one of the most important developments. I have also learned on this trip of the components of your society.
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16 September 2012, 19:07
Pope Benedict during farewell ceremony at airport: The entire Arab world witnessed the Muslims and Christians united in the name of peace. You have succeeded in this peace.
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16 September 2012, 19:01
Suleiman to pope: We pledged to you to keep Lebanon a country of dialogue and openness.
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16 September 2012, 19:00
Suleiman: True democracy is a culture and a set of values. Your three-day visit has brought with you hope.
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16 September 2012, 18:58
Suleiman called for rejecting strife and violence and achieving longstanding peace.
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16 September 2012, 18:57
Suleiman: There is a need to commit to the Apostolic Exhortation in order for social, political, and spiritual reform to be achieved.
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16 September 2012, 18:56
President Suleiman during a farewell ceremony for the pope at the airport: We stress before you that Lebanon will remain committed to the Vatican.
