PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: cathcil@cathcil.org
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: nian.htm

"WE SHOULD MAKE USE OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY’S SUPPORT FOR LEBANON"

SAID HIS HOLINESS ARAM I AFTER A TRIP TO BELGIUM, SWITZERLAND AND ITALY

Catholicos Aram I met with Patriarch Sfeir today. After the meeting he made
the following statement: "We informed Patriarch Sfeir about our meetings in
Belgium, Switzerland and Italy, which naturally focused on Lebanon. There is
not only a big interest in Lebanon, but also support for it. The
international community is committed to preserving coexistence in Lebanon as
tangible proof of the cohabitation of cultures and religions. It is also
committed to strengthening the sovereignty and integrity of Lebanon."

Talking about his meetings in Italy, the Armenian Pontiff said: "Within the
context of the Saint Egidio international conference in Naples, I had the
honor to be at the same lunch table with Pope Benedictus XVI and the
President of Italy. I seized both opportunities to explain to the Pope, the
President and other prominent individuals around us the situation in Lebanon
and the importance of holding presidential elections. In all of them, I saw
the same preoccupation and the same commitment towards the coexistence of
Lebanon, its unity and sovereignty."

"I also had the opportunity to separately meet the Vatican’s state secretary
H. Em. Card. Tarcisio Bertone. The Vatican is closely acquainted with the
situation in Lebanon and will do its best to bring our country out of its
current deadlock. In this context, I presented some of my own viewpoints and
proposals to the state secretary," continued the Pontiff.

Referring to the current situation in Lebanon, His Holiness added: "I
followed with content the recent positive developments, particularly on the
Christian front. I think Bekerke’s efforts in this direction are worthy of
praise. The process should continue. The differences in opinion should not
become obstacles to dialogue. Lebanon belongs to all of us. Its concerns are
our concerns and its interests are our interests. Therefore, it is essential
for all of us to gather around the interests of our big family, Lebanon,
particularly making use of the support of the international community
towards Lebanon."

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View the photo here:
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The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.