Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi on Sunday said ‘no one should drag our country into war, killing, destruction, displacement and homelessness, for no use and for issues that the Lebanese in general and our people in the Lebanese south have nothing to do with.’
Al-Rahi’s remarks, in his Sunday Mass sermon, were an apparent jab at Hezbollah, which had activated Lebanon’s southern front against Israel a day after Hamas launched its unprecedented Oct. 7 attack on south Israel.
‘Lebanon’s message is to be a land of peace and a pioneer of peace, due to its composition, cultural and religious diversity, history, political system and coexistence pact,’ the patriarch added.
Al-Rahi also strongly condemned Israel’s ‘horrible and shameful crimes in the Gaza Strip,’ lamenting that ‘dozens were deliberately killed while starving and waiting for food aid.’
At least 289 people have been killed in Lebanon since the beginning of clashes, mostly Hezbollah fighters and their allies, along with 44 civilians. On the Israeli
side, the army says 10 soldiers and six civilians have been killed, while tens of thousands of residents on both sides have been displaced.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry will hold on Monday a session of talks with Dutch Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot.
The meeting, which will be held at the Foreign Ministry Headquarters in the New Administrative Capital, will deal with relations binding Egypt and The Netherlands and means to cement them in various domains in addition to regional and international issues of mutual concern topped by the conditions in the Gaza Strip.
The two ministers are due to hold a press conference at the end of their talks.
Shoukry will receive Monday Sigrid Kaag, Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza.
H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation and Governor of Egypt at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, reviews with members of the Bank’s Board of Directors the results of their visit to Egypt.
Source: State Information Service Egypt