Al-Rahi: Solution to Hizbullah Arms Should Not Hinge on Mideast Solution
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi announced Thursday that “the solution to the issue of Hizbullah and its arms should not hinge on a Middle East solution,” noting that “the Arab and international communities have a role to play in this regard.”
Al-Rahi was commenting on remarks by President Michel Aoun, who said Monday that “a solution in the Middle East would lead to a solution for the issue of Hizbullah's arms.”
“The issue of Hizbullah is not purely Lebanese anymore and it is linked to Arab and international affairs,” the patriarch added in an interview on LBCI television.
“No one can overlook the role of Hizbullah and Iran in Lebanon and it played a part in the election of the president and filling the vacuum. Yes there is a significant influence but we must build our strong, capable and just state – a state that has its entity, role and justice,” al-Rahi went on to say.
“It is not up to us to find the solution but the solution should not be imposed on us,” the patriarch noted.
Asked about the invitation he has received to visit Saudi Arabia, al-Rahi confirmed that he will visit the kingdom in two weeks.
As for his stance should he be asked by Saudi officials about Hizbullah's controversial arsenal of arms, the patriarch said “even Hizbullah does not accept” the notion that its weapons could coexist with those of the Lebanese Army.
“We must look into the situation from all its aspects,” he added.
Al-Rahi also said that “no preconditions” for the visit have been imposed on him by Riyadh and that his rhetoric will be “a rhetoric of peace, partnership and love” despite the current tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran and Hizbullah.
“I'm not a politician to side with a certain party,” he added.
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