Cardinal Sfeir calls for unity, love and values in Lebanon
Apr 17, 2007
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”.
(yalibnan.com, 16 April, 2007) Beirut - “The freedom which God gifted man – he told the assembly gathered at mass yesterday in Bkirki – is an extraordinary weapon, we can use it to do good or evil, but what we hear 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”.
"Have mercy on your country so as not to be without one," he pleaded.
"The Lebanese should stand united in order to build a country in which understanding, love and values prevail," he added.
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, Speaker 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 illegal extension of his mandate in 2004, during the Syrian occupation of Lebanon.
Speaking to AsiaNews, general Aoun described his meeting with the Patriarch as “constructive and necessary in this moment of history”. Aoun attacked those that criticize his alliance with the pro-Syrian Hezbollah organization calling the alliance as permanent . Aoun also renewed his unconditional support for the formation of a National Unity Government, which would represent the entire Lebanese social structure and renewed his support for 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.
Aoun during his exile in Paris always criticized president Lahoud ( as a puppet of Syria ), Hezbollah (as a Syrian and Iranian tool ) and Syria ( as an occupier of Lebanon) , but after his return from exile he did a complete U turn and switched roles , a move that was criticized by the majority of Lebanon because it divided the Christian community and gave legitimacy to Hezbollah belligerence. Many blame the summer war and the protest in down town Beirut on the alliance between Aoun and Hezbollah.
Cardinal Sfeir calls for unity, love and values in Lebanon