Suleiman Visits Patriarch Youhanna X, Says Arab Leaders Should Hold onto Minorities

President Michel Suleiman urged Arab leaders on Tuesday to preserve minorities in their countries, saying Lebanon's newly-elected Greek Orthodox patriarch faces a tough task of defending Christians in the region.

“We congratulate the Lebanese and Arabs on the election of the new patriarch,” Suleiman told reporters at Our Lady of Balamand Monastery following a short meeting with Patriarch Youhanna X.

Youhanna al-Yaziji was elected on Monday Greek Orthodox Patriarch of the Levant and Antioch.

He “has a difficult task of preserving Christians in the Orient,” Suleiman said.

The president added that "Arab leaders should hold onto the minorities in their countries no matter to which sect they belonged to."

Suleiman also advised the Lebanese to exert efforts to steer their country clear of the repercussions of the developments in the region, a clear reference to the war in Syria.

“The Lebanese should not pay the price of the democracy of others that's why we took a decision through the Baabda Declaration to be neutral,” he said.

In the Baabda Declaration adopted in June, March 8 majority and March 14 opposition alliance officials agreed to keep Lebanon away from the policy of regional and international conflicts to spare it the negative repercussions of tensions in the region.

Suleiman also confirmed that he still holds onto his call for national dialogue and said the 2013 parliamentary elections should be held on time.