Bishop Bechara al-Rahi: I discussed pending issues with Aoun and am still holding to my stance

 

Maronite Bishop Bechara al-Rahi noted regional and international division over the Sunni-Shia fronts in Lebanon.

 

“Some are siding with the Sunnis and others with the Shia,” Rahi told Al-Jazeera television. “Syria, the US and

Saudi Arabia have become the decision-makers in Lebanon,” he noted.

 

He reiterated the Church’s position on the situation in Lebanon. “The Church is always with public well being and against obstruction,” Rahi said.

 

He also noted that the struggle today is over who is holding power. “Whether it is political Sunnism or political Shiism, both will fail just like political Maronism, for Lebanon is governed by consensus.”

 

“Christians in the opposition are affiliated with Shia, while those of the pro-government party are affiliated with Sunnis,” Rahi noted.

 

“I wish they had good relations with both sects in order to cooperate on rebuilding the state,” he added.

Rahi said that his visit to MP Michel Aoun was a personal initiative and came following Aoun’s will to dissipate some worries.

 

“We discussed pending problems but did not reach a final solution,” he added.

 

Rahi said he is still holding fast to his earlier statements, in which he described Aoun as a tool in the opposition’s hands.

 

“Common friends are seeking to set up a meeting with Speaker Nabih Berri. However, no positive signs have emerged from the latter,” Rahi declared.

 

An Amal politburo member had replied to Rahi statements by describing Berri as the Virgin Mary. His statements were strongly condemned by Christian leaders.