Al-Rahi Urges Lebanese Not to Become Followers of Other Countries
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi vowed on Saturday to echo the same principles of Shiite Imam Moussa al-Sadr, urging the Lebanese to unite and reject being the followers of other countries.
In his visit to Baalbek towns, al-Rahi said he would be “the echoing voice of Imam Moussa al-Sadr.”
Al-Sadr was a charismatic Shiite cleric who disappeared during a trip to Libya more than 30 years ago in a case that many blame on Moammar Gadhafi.
Most of al-Sadr's followers are convinced Gadhafi ordered al-Sadr killed in a dispute over Libyan payments to Lebanese militias. He was last seen on Aug. 31, 1978.
During his trip, al-Rahi urged the Lebanese not to sell their lands, saying “the land is the identity of each person and family.”
“No matter what the reasons are, properties should not be sold,” al-Rahi added.
The patriarch rejected violence and said “God wants us a single family.”
“Let’s overcome our differences and conflicts and … build a beautiful nation,” he added.
Al-Rahi also said he supported all sects without any discrimination, hinting his visit to Baalbek was aimed at honoring all confessions.
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