Lebanese Cardinal Warns against Rise of Fundamentalist Movement
MOSCOW, (ST)_Cardinal Mar Beshara Boutros al-Rai Patriarch of Antioch and All the East of the Maronites called for finding a solution to the crisis in Syria through dialogue, adding that, “reforms should not be imposed on the Syrians from outside because reforms stem from the inside and Syrians , authority and people, should sit together at the table of dialogue to manage their own affairs and access to solutions “.
In an interview with Russia Today TV, Cardinal al-Rai called on the Lebanese to realize that their interest in Lebanon and Syria is to be an element of peace in Syria , rather an element of tension. “Lebanon is concerned to play a role of peace and stability in the entire Middle East and is able to play this role,” al-Rai added, appealing to the Lebanese to assume their responsibilities and due role , especially that the Lebanese had experienced the horrors of war and its absurdity.
He highly appreciated Russia’s position concerning the crisis in Syria, noting that “Russia’s policy is clear … And it does not stand with one Syrian party against another and calls for dialogue and understanding.”
He indicated that one of the objectives of his visit to Moscow and meeting with Patriarch Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia for Greek Catholics is to dialogue and cooperate in the peace issues , particularly in Syria and other Arab countries, stressing that “in the Middle East there is no clash of civilizations and cultures,” as promoted by certain sides.
Replying a question on fears on the Christian presence in light of current events in the Middle East the patriarch said : “war and economic crisis threaten everyone .We need stability and peace to ensure stable living conditions for the survival of citizens being Muslims or Christians, asserting that “the biggest risk is the rise of fundamentalist movements.”
“The most dangerous is to see countries in the Arab and Western worlds supporting fundamentalists politically and with money and weapons , and talk about the Arab spring .. This is worrying indeed.”
T.F