Rahi Kicks Off Two-Day Visit to Chouf, to Meet with Jumblat on Sunday

Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi kicked off on Saturday a two-day pastoral visit to the region of Chouf as he is expected to hold talks with Progressive Socialist Party Walid Jumblat.

He stressed that the Lebanese are raised on coexistence among each other, urging citizens to preserve the national unity based on the “spirit of love and partnership.”

Al-Rahi praised the upcoming visit of Pope Benedict XVI, saying that he chose Lebanon to deliver the apostolic exhortation, which represents the conclusion of a Middle Eastern synod in 2010 that emphasized the defense of Christian minorities in the region, because it’s the land of peace.

“The visit of the pope is an opportunity for us to realize the importance of Lebanon… It will be a Lebanese Spring that will contribute to the Arab Spring,” al-Rahi Noted.

The Pope is scheduled to travel to Lebanon on September 14 on a three-day visit where he will meet with a number of senior officials.

Al-Rahi will meet with Jumblat on Sunday at 4.30 p.m. in al-Mukhtara palace.