Al-Rahi Welcomes 'Any Dialogue' that Can End Political Crisis

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi announced Tuesday his support for any dialogue between Hizbullah and al-Mustaqbal movement, welcoming any step that might pull the country out of its political crisis.

“Any dialogue is a necessary dialogue and we must not forget that the interruption of dialogue between (the) March 14 and March 8 (coalitions) has led us to what we're currently suffering,” al-Rahi said in response to a question about his opinion on the prospects of dialogue between Hizbullah and Mustaqbal.

The patriarch was speaking at Beirut's Rafik Hariri International Airport upon his arrival from a several-day visit to Rome.

“We totally welcome such a dialogue and we would bless it with great joy,” added al-Rahi.

Speaker Nabih Berri and Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat have been exerting efforts lately to launch dialogue between the two rival parties.

Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has recently expressed willingness to engage in dialogue with Mustaqbal, but the movement noted that such talks need a clear agenda in order to be effective.

Asked whether Bkirki will seek to hold a meeting for Christian leaders in the near future, the patriarch said the Maronite church is always willing to exert efforts to that end.

“After I assumed my duties, I gathered the Christian leaders in Bkirki, and I'm still willing to do that, as Bkirki's doors are open to everyone and we support any dialogue that can lead to pulling the country out of its crises,” al-Rahi added.

“Without dialogue, things will not move forward,” he stressed.

Y.R.