Rahi with C.G. of Lebanon Mr Al-Khatib, C.G. of Oman Dr. Hamad Al-Alawi and other diplomatic figures

“We realize that not all terrorists are Muslims... but there's a scheme to distort the image of Islam, which compels Christians to help Muslims confront the campaign against their religion,” al-Rahi noted.

The rise of the Islamic State group has destabilized the region and had a negative impact on the security situation in Lebanon.

 Patriarch Rahi with Bishop Tarabay, Bishop Sayah and a number of religious leaders

The Lebanese army engaged over the weekend in a four-day deadly battles with Islamist gunmen in the northern coastal city of Tripoli.

Militants have carried out repeated attacks against the army, accusing it of cooperating with Hizbullah.

Patriarch with Bishop Tarabay, Mr Sfeir, Mr Zouki< Ms Zouki and other guests

The battle between the Lebanese army and extremists in northern Lebanon was widely expected after members of the IS and al-Qaida's branch in Syria, the Nusra Front, launched several attacks over the past weeks in areas on the border with Syria.

We Reject Any Talk of Trilateral Power-Sharing, Constituent Assembly

29/10/2014

Adelaide- M. E. TIMES Int'l:  Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi renewed his sharp criticism over the political forces' failure to elect a president for the country, rejecting any talk of trilateral power-sharing between the major sects.

“There is talk nowadays about a constituent assembly and we reject from this moment any debate over trilateral power-sharing … because that would be a violation of the (1943 National) Pact,” said al-Rahi during a dinner hosted by the Maronite parish in the Australian city of Adelaide.

The patriarch added: “Talk of trilateral power-sharing means 'a plane with three wings' – one Sunni, one Shiite and one Christian, and this is against 94 years of religious coexistence in Lebanon.”

The National Pact is an unwritten agreement that set the basis for the political system in the country, which is based on sectarian distribution of power.

"Our dear MPs have not elected a president and we are now in the sixth month without a presidential election,” he added.

The Maronite patriarch denounced how “each of the political camps is waiting to see whether the Sunnis or the Shiites, Saudi Arabia or Iran, the Syrian regime or the opposition will emerge victorious.”

"Our MPs did not elect a president for the republic in the 14th (electoral) session and they did not secure the quorum,” al-Rahi lamented.

“I cannot accept, in the name of all citizens, these hidden intentions that are preventing the election of a president. I do not want my doubts to fall on anyone, they know themselves,” he added.

Lebanese lawmakers failed for the fifteenth time to elect a new president over a lack of quorum at parliament.

Lebanon has been without a president since May when the term of Michel Suleiman ended.

Hizbullah and MP Michel Aoun's Change and Reform bloc have been boycotting electoral sessions due to a disagreement with the March 14 camp over a compromise presidential candidate.

AL-Rahi: "We live today the political crisis results, the country is dilapidated, people are impoverished and the presidential palace is locked"

30/10/2014

Sydney- M. E. TIMES Int'l: Cardinal Al-Rahi and the accompanying delegation responded to the invitation of Salim Sfeir Vice President of the "Global Patriarchate Foundation for Comprehensive Development" and president of "Bank of Sydney", to a tour on board of a vessel in the Gulf of Sydney.

The Maronite Parish Pastor Bishop Antoine Charbel Tarabay, welcomed "Patriarch AL-Rahi, Salim Sfeir and the audience" In a speech he made. 

Sfeir

Mr Sfeir gave a word of thanks to Patriarch Al-Rahi who honored him by accepting the presidency of the organization, saying: " our country need to Development and Human, lets return him some of its giving."

Al-Rahi

At the conclusion of the meeting, patriarch al-Rahi gave a word of thanks in which he evoked the verse of strange fishing from the Bible, taking The Maronite Global Foundation for Comprehensive Development under the protection of Our Lady of Lebanon, hoping "to reach the objectives for which it was created."

He was sorry for“the situation in Lebanon” saying: “ It lead to the migration of most of our young people, and the disintegration of families, and the main reason lies in the economic crisis that has weighed upon the Lebanese citizen until all social and humanitarian organizations become unable to cover the Lebanese needs of who one-third became below the poverty line. In light of this situation, the church cannot tolerated or overlook what is happening. Everyone has to move each from his location and potential".

He added: "Behind this economic crisis, stands a serious political crisis that suggests that we have reached into the abyss. It is exacerbated by political money that turned from funding for the militias during the war to the price of political positions in the present day. How we need today to liberate our people from the destitution in order not to sell his country, himself and dignity to one. "

"We live today the results of the political crisis, and all this amid the overwhelming indifference and silence. The country is dilapidated, the Lebanese people are impoverished and the presidential palace is locked. We cannot continue this way and keep silent about what is happening. Lebanon was not a gift to us, but was built historically on the sacrifices of our ancestors and fathers, on their sleeves and their love to it; we cannot today sell it or watch it being devastated. Today, more than ever, the Middle East needs the Christians in order to carry the gospel of love, peace and brotherhood ", He continued.

The Opera celebration

Ptriarch Al-Rahi and the accompanying delegation participated in the evening, in the concert by “Angham Al-Majed” at the "Opera House" lounge in Sydney, with the sound archaic chorus led by Father Miled Tarabay.