BEIRUT,(ST)_ Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rai stressed that the war imposed on Syria is absurd in victimizing the innocents, reiterating his call on the international community to work to end this war and the tragedy of the Syrian people who are exposed to violence and killings in their territory and homeland.
In a speech yesterday, al-Rai indicated that the exacerbated tragedy in Syria with the increasing number displaced Syrians, stressing that it is the duty of the Syrian brothers to solve their problems peacefully, at the support of the international community and friendly countries.
He added that we should raise our voice on what is happening in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Palestine, where painful events are taking place, but recalling our greater awareness and commitment.
“ what is happening in Palestine hurts us very, as the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip have been exposed to the Israeli bombing and murder,” the patriarch said, expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people and Church in Palestine and support for their legitimate demands.
He demanded the United Nations and international legitimacy to implement their resolutions regarding the Palestinian issue, especially the return of refugees to their land and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, according to the two states principles, so as to end the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian and Arab territories and all types of racial discrimination.
Regarding the internal situation in Lebanon al-Rai demanded the Lebanese politicians and parliamentarians to commit to the Constitution, which makes it imperative for the parliament to elect a president of the republic very soon.
T. Fateh