Sfeir expresses gratitude for support after Franjieh attack

Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir on Sunday thanked all political groups and leaders who expressed solidarity with him following an attack against him launched by former Cabinet Minister Suleiman Franjieh.

 

“We thank all who stood by us in face of the unjust attack launched against us … and we specifically thank Prime Minister Fouad Siniora for all the support he showed,” the patriarch said during his weekly Sunday sermon at the Notre Dame Church in Bkirki.

 

The prelate asked God to “bring back peace, calm and stability to Lebanon.”

 

Siniora had on Friday criticized the “unethical campaign” against Sfeir, describing it as an “unprecedented phenomena” and stressing that the Maronite Church was one of Lebanon”s major building blocks.

 

“I feel sorry for the unacceptable level of rhetoric that some people in the country have reached. Such rhetoric

contradicts the culture and customs of the Lebanese people,” the prime minister said, in a clear reference to the vehement attack launched against Sfeir by Franjieh.

 

Franjieh on Friday defended his criticism of Sfeir and said he had the right to politically react or respond to political statements by the prelate.

 

“We do not want to escalate the situation and we are not seeking trouble with Bkirki, but if Sfeir wants to talk politics, he will have to hear politics,” Franjieh said in a news conference at his residence in Bnashi.

 

During an interview Wednesday, the opposition Marada Movement leader lashed out at Sfeir, describing him as an employee of the American and French diplomatic missions. Franjieh also urged the patriarch to resign.
 

“The patriarch should have resigned at the age of 74. He is 90 now and whenever he is told something, he forgets about it after one hour. The clerics around him ask us to be patient with him, but I think it is about time he gets some rest,” he added.

 

Several pro-government delegations visited Bkirki last week to express solidarity with the patriarch.

 

“Father forgive them for they don”t know what they are doing,” Sfeir said Thursday in an apparent response to Franjieh”s attack on him.

 

On Sunday, Lebanese Forces MP Georges Adwan visited Sfeir to express solidarity and urged Christians to remain united.

 

“It is crucial that Christians realize that that the downfall of Bkirki will bring the downfall of not only the Christians but that of Lebanon too,” Adwan told reporters following his 45-minute meeting with Sfeir.

 

Adwan said Sfeir, “who had major contributions in pressing for Lebanon”s independence and the end of Syrian hegemony over Lebanon, should in no way be attacked.”

 

“This man was among those who fought for Lebanon”s independence and sovereignty all through his tenure,” he added.

 

The lawmaker warned that the attack on Bkirki “will certainly have negative repercussions on the Christian scene.”

 

Adwan urged Christians to keep a united stance, and “safeguard the patriarch against all kinds of attacks.”

“In such difficult moments, it is essential that Christians unite and stick to their national principles,” he said.