Al-Rahi Meets Suleiman, Qahwaji, Urges Lebanese to Support Army
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi voiced on Tuesday his “complete support” to the army in its efforts to preserve Lebanon's unity and peace.
He called on the Lebanese people “regardless of their political or sectarian affiliations to support this national institution.”
“The army helps unite the people and acts as a guarantor of peace for the nation,” he remarked after holding talks with Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji.
“The army acts as the country's salvation against the repercussions of the regional crises and internal developments,” stressed al-Rahi.
His visit to Qahwaji came amid a growing dispute among political powers over extending his tenure and in light of the recent clashes in the southern city of Sidon.
Earlier on Tuesday, al-Rahi had held talks on the latest developments with President Michel Suleiman at the Baabda Palace.
Eighteen soldiers were killed and 50 were wounded in clashes in Sidon between the army and armed supporters of Salafist cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir on June 22 and 23.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://naharnet.com/stories/en/89082 |