Al-Rahi, Pietton Meet Despite ‘Disappointment’
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi held talks with French Ambassador Denis Pietton in Bkirki on Wednesday despite the diplomat’s announcement that his government was “disappointed” by al-Rahi’s remarks on Syria and Hizbullah’s arms.
The National News Agency said Bishop Samir Mazloum attended the talks.
Pietton left Bkirki without making any statement.
Bkirki sources told the Kuwaiti al-Anbaa daily on Tuesday that al-Rahi is demanding an apology from Pietton before setting a date to meet him.
The patriarch rejects the ambassador’s criticism of al-Rahi’s statements and “will not meet him unless he makes an apology and provides an explanation on his remarks about French disappointment” from the prelate, the sources said.
During his visit to Paris, al-Rahi said Syrian President Bashar Assad should be given the chance to introduce reform over his fear that the collapse of the regime would lead to the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood to power in Syria. This would constitute a threat to Christians in the region.
Al-Rahi also linked the fate of Hizbullah’s weapons to the liberation of the remaining Israeli-occupied Lebanese territories.
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