Saniora Meets Rahi, Says They Both Support Abiding by Baabda Declaration
Al-Mustaqbal bloc head MP Fouad Saniora assured on Monday that his party holds “identical” views with the Maronite Patriarch regarding Lebanon's role in the ongoing regional turmoil.
"Our views, as usual, were identical to those of Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi regarding the commitment to the Baabda Declaration and disassociating Lebanon from regional and international conflicts and especially from the Syrian crisis” Saniora said after holding talks, along with an al-Mustaqbal delegation, with the Patriarch in Bkirki.
"This is aimed at protecting Lebanon,” he noted.
Approved unanimously during a June 2012 national dialogue session, the Baabda Declaration calls Lebanon to steer clear from the developments in Syria.
Since then however a number of local powers, especially Hizbullah, have taken part in the fighting in Syria.
The former Prime Minister continued: “We stressed on holding on to religious coexistence in Lebanon as well as to coexistence between Muslim and Christian sects.”
"We also tackled the importance of the democratic system, the ruling and the rotation of power in the country,” he added.
"What joins the Lebanese people together is their commitment to what they have achieved throughout history, which is represented in the 1943 National Pact that was developed in the Taif Accord, which became a constitution.”
Saniora assured that the Accord enjoys “the support of all the Lebanese,” noting also that it hasn't been fully implemented yet.
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