Al-Rahi on Call to Protect Free Syrian Army: Lebanon Doesn’t Take Orders on How to Run its Affairs
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi stated on Thursday that Lebanon “knows how to assume its responsibilities.”
He said ahead of his official visit to Jordan: “The Lebanese state does not need to take orders from others on how to run its affairs.”
He made his remarks in light of the U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly’s recent call on the Lebanese authorities to provide protection for the members of the rebel Free Syrian Army who flee to Lebanon.
Al-Rahi added however that this is not an issue that he has been following up on closely.
The patriarch is scheduled to travel to Qatar after his Jordan trip.
He is expected to return to Lebanon on March 13.
Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour had rejected Connelly’s call, telling al-Manar television on Thursday: “Lebanon cannot heed such a request; it rather acts according to its interest, security situation and capabilities, and we cannot provide support to armed elements stationed in the Lebanese territory.”
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