Al-Rai: Bound to Always Have “Israel” Pestering Us and the Palestinians?

Maronite Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rai, following his return to Beirut from Paris, says he is attached to his statements and refuses to recant them under political and media pressure, which was exerted on him.

Rai merely offered some clarifications and explanations revealing that he told the French president: "Are we bound to always have "Israel" pestering us and the Palestinians in our country? You throw us into the fire and then you tell us we are burning?"

"An-Nahar" daily has learned that President Michel Suleiman will meet with Rai this Thursday in Dimane on the sidelines of their participation in the annual celebration organized in the Garden of Patriarchs.

PM Najib Mikati is also set to meet with Patriarch Rai this Friday.

Source: New Agences, edited by moqawama.org team