MP Yassin Jaber to Al-Manar Website: Rahi Walking in Footsteps of Sadr…

Hussein Assi

MP Yassin Jaber to Al-Manar Website: Rahi Walking in Footsteps of Sadr… Patriarch Rahi’s Southern Visit Historic Rahi Addressed All Sects with One Voice Christians Were Very Satisfied with Rahi’s Trip Financing STL Will Not Explode Government Int’l Boycott of Government Did Not Happen We Fully Back Palestinian State in UNSC Member of the Development and Liberation parliamentary bloc MP Yassin Jaber declared that the visit made by Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi to South Lebanon was historic, and highlighted that the messages carried out by the patriarch were in harmony with the messages of Imam Sayyed Mussa as-Sadr. He emphasized that the patriarch has addressed all communities with one voice. In an exclusive interview with Al-Manar Website, Jaber undermined the campaign launched by some politicians against the patriarch over his recent positions, and stressed that Patriarch Rahi was applying the apostolic exhortation and expressing openness towards all Lebanese without exception. He pointed out that the Christian community cannot be shortened to one person, in reference to Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea. While expressing belief that the Lebanese government will not be affected by the Special Tribunal for Lebanon’s financing challenge, given that the cabinet’s steadfastness was necessary at the current stage, Jaber stressed that the Lebanese official stance backs the establishment of a Palestinian state. He warned that the fall of such project in the United Nations would uncover the real position of the so-called “peace sponsors” and would strengthen the Resistance’s argument. RAHI ADDRESSED ALL SECTS MP Yassin Jaber told Al-Manar Website that the visit made by Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi to South Lebanon throughout the three last days was historic, with all sense of the word. He noted that it did not happen before that a Maronite Patriarch pays a general visit to the south region, as Patriarch Rahi did. He said that the visit was also historic through its meanings and significance, and noted that it carried out a message of dialogue and unity. Answering a question on whether Patriarch Rahi was continuing the path of Imam Sayyed Mussa as-Sadr, Jaber highlighted that Imam Sadr was famous for visiting the church and the mosque at the same time, and that he used to address all communities with one voice. “This is what Patriarch Rahi is seeking to do today,” he said, as he remarked that the patriarch came to the south as no one did before him and met people from various sects. He also pointed to the stances taken by Rahi who stressed Lebanon’s right to protect its sovereignty, and saluted the huge efforts paid by the southern people to liberate the land from the Zionist occupation. “All these messages come in harmony with those taken by Imam Sayyed Mussa as-Sadr,” he said. WHO SEEKS TO DISTORT SUCH BRIGHT DAY? MP Jaber undermined the campaign launched by some politicians against the patriarch over his recent positions, and pointed in particular to the positions taken on Saturday by Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea who claimed that the fear of extremism does not justify the crimes of dictatorships that created it in the first place, and said that “the Christian existence in Lebanon and the East has spiritual values, and holds on interaction and real participation in the national, cultural, political and social life for the people of the region.” Commenting on Geagea’s words, Jaber stressed that it was not appropriate to distort such a bright day by listening to some useless opinions. He said that Patriarch Rahi was applying the apostolic exhortation and expressing openness towards all Lebanese without exception. He went on to say that the efforts paid by Patriarch Rahi should have been carried out a long time ago. Jaber expressed belief that one person, in reference to the LF chief, could not express the views of all Christians. He explained that overall, the Christian community was satisfied with the patriarch’s trip to the South and other Lebanese regions. He noted that, throughout all his trips, the patriarch was seeking to unify Lebanese through inciting them to apply the slogan of partnership with words and actions. SOLUTIONS AVAILABLE ON TIME During his interview with Al-Manar Website, MP Jaber tackled the STL financing’s challenge awaiting the Lebanese cabinet in the upcoming stage, in light of Speaker Nabih Berri’s latest remarks in this context. Berri has said that authorities would take the appropriate action when the time to pay Lebanon’s share of funds to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon comes. “When we reach that phase” we’ll decide what action to take, he reportedly said. “There is enough time before that date comes.” Jaber said he backs Berri in this belief, and remarked that some politicians seek to anticipate things, thinking that this challenge would explode the government from inside, which is completely wrong. He noted that Berri wanted to say that solutions are always available, but only when their time comes. He emphasized that the cooperation between the government, parliament and presidency has proven its solidity as it has resulted in an unprecedented electricity bill. He said that when dialogue and understanding are present, all solutions can be reached. Answering a question on whether he was assured that the government was not heading towards a crisis in this regard, Jaber said he had no worries at all. He highlighted that the cabinet’s steadfastness was necessary at the current stage, given that the government has proven to seriously deal with the various issues. While recalling of the threats addressed to the government of possibly facing an international boycott, Jaber noted that the opposite was taking place. He spoke of a remarkable international openness towards Lebanon, something which was reflected through the visits made by President Michel Sleiman and Prime Minister Najib Miqati to the United Nations. LEBANON BACKS PALESTINIAN STATE To conclude, the Lebanese lawmaker tackled the Palestinian statehood challenge within the United Nations Security Council, in light of the expected American veto. He said that Lebanon clearly backs this state, as declared by President Michel Sleiman from the United Nations as well as all other Lebanese leaders. He noted that Lebanon officially stands at the side of the establishment of this state given that this is the least thing that Lebanese could give to their Palestinian brothers. About the repercussions of the fall of the Palestinian state’s project in light of the American veto, Jaber said that the international public opinion would be aware of the misleading campaigns launched by the so-called peace sponsors. He also noted that the fall of this project would strengthen the argument of the Resistance and its fighters.

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