Sfeir: citizens and politicians unite to “escape the abyss”
Beirut (AsiaNews) – Maronite patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir has strongly reprimanded Lebanese “citizens and politicians” to “have piety on the country and to unite themselves to escape the present abyss”. “The freedom which God gifted man – he told the assembly gathered at mass yesterday in Bkerke – is an extraordinary weapon, we can use it to do well or evil, but what we here from declarations made today show that we tend more towards evil than good. Otherwise how can we explain the threats that are exchanged between both sides of the divide? As if the economic crises that is afflicting the country at present and the scourge of emigration was not already sufficient”.
Cardinal Sfeir recalled the 80th birthday of Benedict XVI and highlighting the liturgical meaning of this “Sunday in Albis”, he urged the Christian community to rediscover the face of the merciful God and take up their role in society which they have played for centuries, once again.
The Patriarch also received General Michel Aoun, in a visit which sources closet o the general described as very useful in the period leading up to the coming Presidential elections.
Regarding the elections, Present of the Lower House, Nabih Berri – who is also head of the opposition Amal party – announced that he intends to convoke the Parliament September 25th, but without the presence of the “unconstitutional” government, to proceed in the process of electing a new President of the Republic, to replace the current president, Emile Lahoud, whose term ends in November, following the lengthening of his mandate in 2004, during the period of Syrian control over the country.
Speaking to AsiaNews, general Aoun described his meeting with the Patriarch as “constructive and necessary in this moment of history”. Aoun launched "harsh criticism against those who are trying their best to undermine negotiations, indicating that his alliance with Hezbollah as permanent, and against those who deny that there is a real ranger war may break out once again, by claiming that all tensions have passed”. Aoun renewed his unconditional support for the formation of a National Unity Government, which would represent the entire Lebanese social structure and renewed his support of President Lahoud, because he represents "national dignity", criticizing foreign guests who “visit Lebanon without meeting its’ legitimate President”, as did the current Un general secretary, Ban Ki-moon.
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08/03/2006
