Sfeir Outlines Similarities Between Palestine and Lebanon

 

Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir shed light on Tuesday on the emigration problem plaguing Lebanon, saying that the phenomenon was almost the same as what has occurred in Palestine.

 

“Things have become clear between Lebanon and Palestine and the problem appears to be the same,” Sfeir told a delegation from the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) who visited the prelate on the occasion of his 22nd year at the patriarchal seat. “Like the Palestinians left their land, the Lebanese are leaving Lebanon to settle in other countries.”

 

“We have been told that around 1 million Lebanese are now living outside their country,” he added. “This should prompt us to join hands in order for us to recover our rights in our countries.”

 

According to the patriarch, through understanding, love and solidarity “we can overcome lots of obstacles.”

The PLO representative in Lebanon, Abbas Zaki, handed Sfeir a memo entitled “A Word of Honor and Loyalty to Lebanon”s Christians.”

 

“Christianity in Lebanon has always been the title of humanitarian, cultural and civilized interaction in the region,” the memo said.

 

Sfeir also met on Tuesday with March 14 Forces MP Butros Harb.

 

Speaking after the meeting, Harb said: “The presidential elections should not be linked to any conditions; they should be conducted, no matter what the circumstances are.”

 

“We welcome the idea of dialogue among the Lebanese but dialogue is not a condition to elect a president,” the MP added. “The presidential post should not remain vacant, as this situation harms Lebanon”s political regime.”

 

Harb said if Speaker Nabih Berri”s call to hold dialogue was meant to launch a new round of discussions where “unattainable” conditions would be exchanged, “then the March 14 Forces are against it.”

 

“We are ready to hold serious discussions to make sure that there are good intentions to make the meeting succeed,” he said.
 

Harb also said that Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun should declare whether or not he would take part in the dialogue.

 

“We are keen on dealing with Aoun for the sake of Lebanon. We hope that he cooperates with us because no one wants to isolate the other,” he said.