Bkirki: Syrian Delegation’s Visit Aimed at Bridging Gap between Sects

Bkirki spokesman Walid Ghayyad said on Thursday that the media exaggerated the Syrian delegation’s visit to the seat of the Maronite church, noting that the visit was set after Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi was elected.

He told Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3) that the developments in Syria “postponed the visit,” stressing that the discussions “focused on religion to bring sects closer.”

Damascus Mufti Sheikh Adnan al-Afyouni had visited the patriarch at Bkirki at the head of a Syrian delegation that included the Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdul Karim Ali.

“The meeting didn’t tackle the political affairs,” Ghayyad told pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat.

Asked if this visit will increase the local rift over the Patriarch’s stances from Hizbullah’s arms and the situation in Syria, Ghayyad wondered if “it’s forbidden that people meet and hold talks.”

He stressed that al-Rahi is “open to everyone and his door is open to all people, in harmony with his slogan (collaboration and love).”

Sources told As Safir newspaper published on Thursday that the meeting was positive and focused on the importance of stimulating dialogue between religions.

Ambassador Ali told the daily that the delegation lauded al-Rahi’s latest stances.

He noted that the delegation warned against sectarian sedition, stressing that Syria is beginning to resolve the local crisis.

Ali denied that Syria Grand Mufti Sheikh Ahmed Badreddine Hassoun didn’t visit along with the delegation to avoid meeting with Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani, saying that “the Mufti had to meet with a foreign delegation that is visiting Syria.”

He added: “Al-Rahi will not visit Syria soon since he is heading to the U.S.”