Naharnet

Al-Rahi to Suleiman: Dialogue Must be Resumed in Order to Reach Agreement on Defense Strategy

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi hoped on Sunday that national dialogue would be resumed in Lebanon in order for all the concerned sides to reach an agreement on a national defense strategy.

He said while addressing President Michel Suleiman during his Sunday sermon: “We hope you will be able to fulfill your pledge of resuming dialogue.”

He gave the sermon from the Deir al-Qamar town in the Chouf, as part of his tour of the region.

Al-Rahi added: “This dialogue is aimed at protecting Lebanon and fortifying it against various dangers.”

“We hope that the talks would develop into a comprehensive national conference that would pave the way for a document of coexistence that would be able to follow up the challenges of our Arab world,” he stated.

Earlier on Sunday, the patriarch and the president held a closed-door meeting at the latter’s summer residence at the Beiteddine palace in the Chouf.

The talks focused on Lebanese and regional developments.


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