I was honoured to meet with His Beatitude the Patriarch, Cardinal Bechara Boutros El-Rai today. It was our first meeting since the Christmas holiday and I wished him, as I wish all the Lebanese people, a new year of peace and stability – indeed of “Partnership and Love” as called for by the Patriarch himself.
We discussed the situation of the Christian communities in the Middle East. I underlined the important role the Christians play and the need to protect the rich diversity and coexistence that characterizes Lebanon in particular.
It was also an opportunity to discuss the current situation, particularly in Syria.
We discussed the subject of the Syrian refugees in Lebanon one which concerns all of us, and the partnership between the United Nations and the Lebanese Government and people in supporting the refugees and addressing the issue. I discussed the same subject earlier this morning with the Prime Minister. It is an issue of the highest priority for the Secretary-General who will be attending and chairing a meeting in that regard with donor countries in Kuwait at the end of this month.
Finally, we discussed political developments in Lebanon. I welcomed the resumption of active discussions on the electoral law and the Patriarch’s support for this political process and its success and the importance of holding the elections on time in line with Lebanon’s constitutional requirements. It is important that Lebanon remain a model for democracy and for a genuine and vital political life in the region.
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