Premier, Patriarchs for Coexistence Among Syrians

DAMASCUS,(ST)_ Prime Minister Dr. Wael al-Halqi on Monday visited the  Greek Orthodox Patriarchate where he offered  congratulations to Patriarch John X Yazji, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East for Greek  Catholics on the occasion of his investiture.

The Prime Minister also visited the Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarchate, where he met with Patriarch Gregory III Laham, Patriarch of Antioch, Alexandria and Jerusalem of the Melkite Greek Catholic.

Talks during the two meetings dealt with  the importance that Syria remains a country of tolerance and coexistence for all its people as an  example to followed .

The Prime Minister stressed the  important role of clerics and scholars  in disseminating awareness under  the crisis experienced by Syria in order to preserve the social fabric and national cohesion among all Syrian people, indicating that Syria is under a war  that in its large part aims  at inciting and instigating extremist ideas that differentiate one country ‘s people.

He also indicated the  positive role of the Church in giving up  violence ,terrorism, extremism and called for tolerance, fraternity and consolidation of national unity among all Syrian components and social factions.

Both Patriarch Yazji and Patriarch Lahham stressed the  need for solidarity and joint Syrian efforts to confront hostile attempts targeting Syria ‘s  history and heritage and the Syrian  Islamic-Christian  fabrics , stressing  that the Syrians will remain united  under co-existence based on amity  and mutual respect.

The Premier was accompanied  in the visit by  Deputy Prime Minister for Services Affairs and Minister of Local Administration ,  and the Ministers of Al-Awqaf, the Interior, Transport,  and Minister of State for Red Crescent Affairs.

T. Fateh