Qaouk wishes Qlaiah & Marjayoun well on Easter: Christians’ security is that of Muslims

Hizbullah Official representative in the South, Sheikh Nabil Qaouk, made a visiting tour yesterday to the religious figures in both areas of Qlaiah and Marjayoun, congratulating the Christian communities which follow the Eastern calendar on Easter.

A delegation of party leadership and media accompanied Sheikh Qaouk. His first stop was at Saint George Church in Qlaiah town, where a large reception was prepared, headed by mayor Bassam Hasbani, dignitaries, influential figures and a large gathering of the town's residents.

His Eminence passed on his greetings for the Easter occasion to Father Mansour Hakim and the parish priest Father Fadi Salameh, who thanked Sheikh Qaouk for his "good" visit, and hoped "festivities and happy celebrations prevail throughout all the Lebanese towns and villages, and enjoy permanent peace and love."

In his turn Sheikh Qaouk wished "a good and happy Easter to the Lebanese in general and the Christian community in particular" stressing that "no enmity between the Lebanese." And that "the security of the Christians is as important as that of the Muslims, while our enemy is one, the 'Israeli' enemy." He added: "We gather here today to pay tribute and thanks on behalf of the resistance and the people of the South, to the people of Qlaiah, and dearly thank them for their reception of their neighbors from all the villages during the July 2006 war. The message we give out to everyone today, is adherence to coexistence and national partnership through the transition to a strong state."

He added: "Hizbullah does not wait for orders from abroad. We call on partners at home to follow suit."

Regarding the Lebanese in "Israel" now, Sheikh Qaouk said: "the nation's heart is large enough for us all."

He then went on to visit the archbishopric grounds of Marjayoun, where he extended his Easter greetings to the Bishop of Marjayoun and Sidon, the Roman Orthodox Archbishop Elias al-Kfouri, who, together with a group of priests and influential figures from Marjayoun, received Sheikh Qaouk and the accompanying delegation.

Archbishop al-Kfouri wished "to be always brought together by occasions of joy and pride. We are the sons of the one area and the one homeland which we must preserve, protect and maintain."