Rahi: Selling Land is Betrayal of God, Lebanese Should Get Together on Dialogue Table

Local Editor

Head of Hizbullah Juristic Council and Religious representative of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Sheikh Mohammad Yazbek, held Saturday an honorary dinner for Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rahi who is on a pastoral visit to Baalbek-Hermel.

During his historic visit to Baalbek, he vowed to echo the same principles of Imam Moussa al-Sadr, and urged the Lebanese to unite and reject being the followers of other countries. He also reiterated commitment to the rules of co-existence between Muslims and Christians.

A host of political, religious and social figures attended the dinner, during which Yazbek praised Rahi's slogan of "communion and affection." He expressed his deep appreciation for the Patriarch "realistic and objective stances," and joined his voice to Rahi's in promoting an Islamic-Christian unity with which Palestine would be liberated and righteousness would win over evil.

"He who sells his land, sells his identity...and betrays his God," warned Rahi, "Each one of us must invest in his land." He invoked the national pact between Muslims and Christians, describing it as a road to salvation from the critical regional situation. "It is time for all Lebanese to sit at a dialogue table." Rahi conjured up images of killing and death from Lebanon's civil war, approximating it with events of the Arab Spring. He expressed deep concern of what might be the outcome of these revolutions.

Rahi reiterated the speech he gave in France, which stirred much controversy about his pro Bashar Assad stances. He defended himself, once more, by accusing the media of selling out and presenting him in a negative image by airing part of his speech. Although he contended that each person has the right for freedom and a dignified life, he held on to his worry that after a certain regime was toppled a more extreme one might take over.

Also, the Patriarch asked Lebanese to aid the Arab world to stop wars and violence, otherwise the consequences would be dire and Lebanon would suffer a setback similar to that of 1975. On that note, he demanded the international community make good on their resolutions and promises, particularly resolution 194 which gave Palestinians right of return to their homeland.
At the end of the dinner, Yazbek gave Rahi a portrait of Christ's last dinner with his disciples handmade in Iran from silk.

Patriarch Rahi arrived to the town of Hadath Baalbeck at 8.40 am on Saturday, 20 minutes earlier than scheduled. He was received by MPs Emil Rahme and Ghazi Zeaiter, in addition to the region's officials and heads of municipalities.

Source: News Agencies