NNA - Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai stressed the need to support pluralism, equality and freedom in the Middle East countries.



"Differences and particularities of all religious groups should be respected," the Patriarch asserted during a gathering with bishops in Argentine, asking to preserve the right of Christians.



Rai praised the Christian-Islamic co-existence in Lebanon and its importance as well as Lebanon's role in protecting moderation and dialogue.



Later Rai met with a number of Arab Ambassadors and discussed common Arab concerns.



"Our weapon is to pray and we believe that God is capable to support us in our daily lives," Rai said.



He added that the image of the Arab and Islamic world is distorted today, stressing that this is not the truth of Islam.



"Islam is not war, violence and fundamentalism, we, as Lebanese, have lived together Muslims and Christians, built our civilizations together and have always been working to preserve and protect it," Rai asserted.



He called upon the Arab League to unite the Arab vision and resolve issues through dialogue, adding that Arabs should trust each other and unify their stand to acquire the international community respect.



On the other note, Rai visited Greek Orthodox Archdiocese where he prayed to release the two kidnapped bishops, Boulos Yazigi and Youhanna Ibrahim, in Syria.



"We condemn this abduction and all forms of violence, murder, kidnapping and terrorism," Rai confirmed.



Rai condemned the abduction during a phone call with Patriarch John X and expressed solidarity with them and offered condolences over the death of the bishops' companions, hoping that peace and stability would prevail over the Middle East region.



----Politics - Rai: To support pluralism, equality in Middle East countries


NNA - Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai stressed the need to support pluralism, equality and freedom in the Middle East countries.



"Differences and particularities of all religious groups should be respected," the Patriarch asserted during a gathering with bishops in Argentine, asking to preserve the right of Christians.



Rai praised the Christian-Islamic co-existence in Lebanon and its importance as well as Lebanon's role in protecting moderation and dialogue.



Later Rai met with a number of Arab Ambassadors and discussed common Arab concerns.



"Our weapon is to pray and we believe that God is capable to support us in our daily lives," Rai said.



He added that the image of the Arab and Islamic world is distorted today, stressing that this is not the truth of Islam.



"Islam is not war, violence and fundamentalism, we, as Lebanese, have lived together Muslims and Christians, built our civilizations together and have always been working to preserve and protect it," Rai asserted.



He called upon the Arab League to unite the Arab vision and resolve issues through dialogue, adding that Arabs should trust each other and unify their stand to acquire the international community respect.



On the other note, Rai visited Greek Orthodox Archdiocese where he prayed to release the two kidnapped bishops, Boulos Yazigi and Youhanna Ibrahim, in Syria.



"We condemn this abduction and all forms of violence, murder, kidnapping and terrorism," Rai confirmed.



Rai condemned the abduction during a phone call with Patriarch John X and expressed solidarity with them and offered condolences over the death of the bishops' companions, hoping that peace and stability would prevail over the Middle East region.



======A.A.M