NNA - Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi, on Thursday met with the Editors Syndicate, headed by Joseph Al-Kosseifi, at Bkerki to discuss the country’s deteriorating situation. 

Al-Kosseifi urged the launch of a national reconciliation conference to support the government’s efforts and build a resilient state amid regional and international transformations.  

Patriarch Al-Rahi reaffirmed the need for such a conference, warning that foreign allegiances remain a key obstacle to national unity. He added that, failing internal consensus, international efforts may be necessary.  

Commenting on regional developments, Al-Rahi expressed concern over the state of Christians in Syria, saying recent violence has left communities anxious.  

In Lebanon, the Maronite Patriarch emphasized there is no fear for Christians and renewed his call to unify arms under the state, as per the Taif Accord, stressing that the solution must be diplomatic. He concluded by encouraging Christian youth to join state institutions and called on the state to provide real opportunities for all Lebanese.

=========R.H.