Al-Rahi Meets Hariri, Says Dissociation Policy Must be Complemented by Defense Strategy

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi held talks Wednesday with Prime Minister Saad Hariri on the latest local and regional developments.

“I was honored to meet with the premier to congratulate him on his safe return and on the statement that was issued by the government,” al-Rahi added after the Grand Serail meeting, referring to a statement in which Hariri's government reaffirmed its commitment to distancing Lebanon from regional conflicts.

“I also congratulated him on the withdrawal of his resignation, the new beginning, the meeting of the International Support Group for Lebanon in Paris, and the meetings that will take place in the future,” al-Rahi added.

“I visited him to congratulate him on all of that and to tell him how much his presence in Lebanon at the head of the government is important and how much it gives confidence to the Lebanese. I also expressed to him our permanent love and support,” the patriarch said.

Asked about the dissociation policy, al-Rahi underlined the need for “all government components to abide by it.”

“The dissociation policy should be complemented by a common national defense strategy,” the patriarch added.

He said Lebanon should be a “neutral country so that it can serve everyone.”

“Lebanon's role in the Arab world is the neutral role that serves all Arab countries. It should support peace, justice and rights without being part of any regional or international axes,” al-Rahi emphasized.

But he noted that “as we will commit to the dissociation policy, other countries should also dissociate themselves from our Lebanese affairs instead of dragging us into axes that we have nothing to do with.”

“We can play a role without being in any axis,” al-Rahi added.