Sydney - Middle East Times Int’l: Maronite Patriarch, Mar Beshara Boutros Al-Rahi, on Friday visited Chanay-Aley for a meeting with Druze Sheikh Sami Abi Almouna in the presence of official religious, political, and social figures.

Rahi stressed the paramount importance of building internal unity in Lebanon. 

“We are a state of openness; this is dubbed positive neutrality, which is at the heart of Lebanon’s identity and nature. Without it, Lebanon loses its role and mission as previously mentioned by Saint Pope John Paul II,” Al-Rahi said. 

For his part, the Druze Sheikh stressed the importance of Patriarch Al-Rahi’s “historic visit,” saying it expresses “the truth about the unified mountain that we have been endeavouring together to consecrate as a good model for the entire Lebanese nation”. 

“We will translate your visit from kind words into action, an economic investment movement, and construction that will consolidate our presence in this mountain,” he added. 

The former leader of the Progressive Socialist Party, Walid Jumblatt, on Friday welcomed at the Mukhtara Palace, Maronite Patriarch Mar Beshara Boutros Al-Rahi, and Sheikh Akl of the Unitarian Druze Community, Dr. Sami Abi Al-Muna, as part of their tour of Mount Lebanon.

 Greeting them at the palace, Jumblatt said: “Reconciliation in the mountains was consecrated despite some discordant voices that work to exhume graves. In our literature, the martyrs are all martyrs of the homeland without discrimination.”

Addressing Patriarch Rahi, Jumblatt said: “We highly appreciate all local and Arab efforts you are making to resolve the presidential dilemma, and we highly applaud your support for the call for dialogue.”

Patriarch Rahi said: “This day is historic, and we have come to commemorate once again the reconciliation you made with Patriarch Sfeir, which you wanted to include all Lebanese.”

Patriarch Rahi pointed out that "Lebanon cannot continue in this situation, as it has become a stranger to itself and must be treated with frank reconciliation between all its sects”.

The Patriarch said: “We cannot visit this historic Dar without it having a remarkable impact because we stand before a great history of patriotism, and we are happy because its protector and the protector of the history it carries is its owner, Walid Beik Jumblatt, who constitutes a subject of security for the Lebanese who are awaiting his stances.”