Al-Rahi Supports Unification of Cyprus, Says Visit Aimed at Consolidating Ties with Maronites there

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  • W460
  • W460

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi backed on Friday the unification of Cyprus and said his visit to the island state was aimed at consolidating ties with its Maronite citizens.

During a meeting with the Cypriot president, Demetris Christofias, on a several day visit, al-Rahi said he discussed with U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon in October about the unification of Cyprus.

Cyprus was split in 1974 when Turkish troops invaded the northern third in response to a Greek-inspired coup in Nicosia aimed at uniting the island with Greece. Only Turkey recognizes the authorities in the northern sector.

Al-Rahi also thanked Cyprus for embracing the Maronites and the Lebanese who resorted to it during the Lebanese civil war.

“The historic Maronite roots in Cyprus go back to more than 1,000 years,” al-Rahi earlier said at the Maronite bishopric in Nicosia. “Our visit is aimed at renewing the bonds of friendship and respect with the civilian authorities and the local church.”

Before heading there, the patriarch said at Rafik Hariri International Airport that the trip “comes as part of pastoral visits that I am making.”

He told reporters that he intends to meet with followers both in the Greek and Turkish sides. Al-Rahi also said that he will hold talks with both officials and clergymen to consolidate ties.

The patriarch reiterated that the spirit of partnership and love is the best slogan to “build bridges.”

Al-Rahi is accompanied by Bishops Boulos Sayyah and Camille Zaidan, the head of the Catholic Media Center, Father Abdo Abou Kasam, and Bkirki spokesman Walid Ghayad.

Comments 7
Missing ayoor 10 February 2012, 13:00

Blease mind your own business and concentarte on Lebanon

Default-user-icon MUSTAPHA O. GHALAYINI (Guest) 10 February 2012, 14:12

monseigneur rahi is opening a new bickering zone with turkey . that is a step towards regional conflicts.

Thumb Chupachups 10 February 2012, 14:36

By those comments he got Turkey against him..

Missing helicopter 10 February 2012, 15:23

I wish all men of religion stick to religion and leave politics to politicians (unfortunately we do not have any statesmen in Lebanon, only Mafia heads ..... proteges of other states).

Default-user-icon MUSTAPHA O. GHALAYINI (Guest) 10 February 2012, 15:49

do they have electricity in cyprus??

Default-user-icon tito (Guest) 16 February 2012, 22:58

why you are asking?

Thumb jabalamel 10 February 2012, 22:41

when al rahi speaks of unity, no matter it's not lebanon, the filthy slimy zionist media terrorists always find something stupid to say.

latest stupidity is that al rahi opens a new bickering zone with turkey which is a step towards regional conflicts.

hillarious.