Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rai’s visit to the Chouf on Friday drew several reactions from political circles and party members.
Lebanese Forces MP Georges Adwan said, “There might be some variation in style with the Druze regarding the presidency, however we are in agreement about the core.”
He was referring to the fact that Patriarch Rai recently encouraged MPs to take part in the dialogue to which Speaker Nabih Berri had invited them.
The opposition, of which Adwan is a member, remains hostile to this dialogue and considers that priority should be given to the presidential elections.
For his part, member of the Democratic Gathering Bloc MP Marwan Hamadeh pointed out that the scene at the Chouf and Aley today is a lesson and a message for all of Lebanon and the regions affected by disputes over dialogue. “The heart of Lebanon is this Mountain, and it is a message to Arabs and foreigners that the solution comes from Lebanon, and it is distinctly sovereign,” he said.
MP Neemat Frem commented on Rai’s visit to the Chouf on his personal “X” account by saying that the visit on the occasion of the Mountain’s reconciliation is remarkable. “The Mountain remains the backbone for Lebanese and for the sake of all Lebanon.”
According to MP Faysal al-Sayegh, member of the Democratic Gathering Bloc, Rai’s visit is a “blessed” one.
In an interview with local TV channel Al-Jadeed, he pointed out that “the dialogue is present and the Patriarch was positive. We are awaiting Speaker Berri to provide a clear picture and mechanism for dialogue, and as the Democratic Gathering, we support any productive dialogue that leads to the election of a President for the Republic.”
PSP MP Hadi Aboul Hosn told This is Beirut earlier today that the Patriarch’s visit consecrates reconciliation.
