Maronite Meeting Forms Committee to Follow Up on Decisions
The Maronite meeting at Bkirki stressed on Thursday the need to hold future meetings to continue discussions over how to “maintain Lebanon as an example for democracy and freedom.”
An agreement was reached to form a follow up committee to monitor the cooperation between them, announced Bishop Samir Mazloum who read the summit’s closing statement.
The meeting stressed the commitment to partnership and cooperation to build the state and develop society, adding that Lebanon’s diversity and identity should be maintained, he stated.
“Balance should also be restored to public administrations through the Christians’ service in the state,” the statement continued.
The Maronite meeting, headed by Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi, brought together around 34 Maronite MPs as well as the country’s top Maronite political leaders meeting at the seat of the patriarchate in Bkirki.
He said after the meeting: “There is no longer division among them.”
Meanwhile, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea described the Bkirki meeting as “positive and helpful”.
He said: “Our presence together in one room is a step forward.”
“There is no doubt that some issues need to tackled, but the Christians in Lebanon are not in any danger and they still play an effective role in the country,” he concluded.
Al-Rahi stressed during his opening speech at the meeting the need for Christians to improve their conditions in Lebanon, urging the Maronite leaders to seek unity through commitment to the Bible’s teachings.
He called for the separation of religion from the state and politics on the condition of holding onto the national principles and the public welfare.
“As Christians, we’re committed to the Bible’s principles and the church’s teachings while practicing our political and economic activities,” he said.
“Unity among Christians won’t be settled without this commitment,” al-Rahi added.
He said participation in state institutions and preservation of the land guarantee the effective presence of Christians in the country.
The gathering was aimed at bridging the gap among Lebanon’s rival Christian parties.
In Thursday’s meeting, Maronite lawmakers joined the country’s four key Christian leaders in a follow-up conference under the sponsorship of al-Rahi.
The first icebreaker gathering was held in April between Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun, Marada Movement head MP Suleiman Franjieh, Phalange Party chief Amin Gemayel, and LF leader Geagea.
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