Maronite Patriarch Rai heads for Cairo on several days' visit

Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai left here on Thursday for Cairo on a several days' pastoral visit to Egypt during which he will meet with Abdel Fattah El Sisi.

During the visit, the Patriarch will meet with Pope Tawadros II of Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church, Azhar Grand Imam of Azhar Ahmed el Tayyeb, members of the Maronite Patriarchate in Egypt as well as a number of political figures.

Patriarch Rai will also witness the inauguration of the new premises of the Maronite Patriarchy in Egypt and the Mar Maroun Church after its restoration.

In pre-detarture statements, Patriarch Beshara Rai said he will meet with top Maronite figures after his visit to Egypt to discuss the crisis of the presidential vacuum in his country.

Answering a question about initiatives to name Sleiman Frangieh for the Lebanese presidency, Patriarch Rai voiced belief that this is a serious initiative and that all Lebanese should agree on one decision that could unite their ranks.

He asserted that a president of any state could never succeed in ruling a country without being supported by all of its people.

The Lebanese parliament is expected to hold a session on December 16 to elect a president.

In September, Lebanon's parliament failed – for the 28th time – to elect the country's new president amid angry protests that overwhelmed the country over corruption issues.

Sources: MENA