Patriarch Rai Hits back at Critics: Some Regard Issues Shallowly

It seems that political figures have been lurking any stance from Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rai in order to draw their positions towards this new figure. In a statement upon his arrival in Beirut from a one-week visit to France, al-Rai hit back at his critics on Syria and Hezbollah’s arms remarks which caused media hubbub drawing harsh criticism from the March 14 parties, but were widely welcomed by Hezbollah and March 8 allies. Rai said that his statements were taken out of context stressing that some regard issues with a shallow perspective and build upon words taken out of context, adding that some of the things that were said are out of place and inappropriate. Many figures, particularly March 14 Christians, have criticized Rai’s statements that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is “open-minded” and should be given more chances to implement reforms. Rai also said it is demanded that Hezbollah keep its arms as long as Israel still occupied a parcel of Lebanese territory. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Najib Mikati came out in support of Rai’s stance. “The Maronite patriarch spoke about a part [of the problem]. No one is against the resistance’s arms as long as [Israeli] occupation continues. There is Lebanese unanimity on the resistance’s arms in the face of [Israeli] occupation,” Mikati said in an interview with Al-Jadeed television Sunday night. Apparently referring to March 14 politicians who criticized him for linking Hezbollah’s arsenal to the termination of Israeli occupation of Lebanese territory, Rai said: “I don’t want to say anything on what I have heard or read. But I regretted that most of us look at matters superficially.” Rai held talks in Paris with President Nicholas Sarkozy and other senior French officials on Lebanese-French relations, the situation in Lebanon and the popular upheavals in the Arab world. “I am faithful to the motto I have raised: Partnership and love. I respect everyone, I love everyone and I wish good for everyone. I am not a complaining man,” he said. Rai called on media people to be objective and report matters thoroughly. “People should read the entire story and not just the headline,” he said. In an interview with the Dubai-based Al-Arabiya satellite channel broadcast Thursday night, Rai said: “Hezbollah’s arms are linked to several issues. We have said this to the authorities in France. Everyone says why is Hezbollah carrying arms? We responded that the international community did not exert pressure on Israel to withdraw from Lebanese territory. As long as there is an occupied Lebanese territory, Hezbollah will maintain that it wants to carry arms in defense of the land. What will we say to it then? Isn’t it [Hezbollah] right?” Rai also linked Hezbollah’s arms to the return of an estimated 350,000 Palestinian refugees in Lebanon to their homes in Palestine.

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