President Sarkissian holds phone conversation with Aram I over Beirut blast aftermath

12:50, 5 August, 2020

YEREVAN, AUGUST 5, ARMENPRESS. Armenian President Armen Sarkissian held a phone conversation with Aram I, the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia.

The President inquired about details from the Beirut explosion and expressed “his deep concern around the situation”, Sarkissian’s Office said in a readout.

“President Sarkissian expressed concern about the situation of the Armenian-populated Bourj Hammoud neighborhood which has been damaged by the blast, the damages suffered at the Antelias Cathedral and the condition of our Lebanese-Armenian compatriots”.

Sarkissian extended condolences to Aram I on the deaths, which includes also Lebanese-Armenians. The President wished speedy recovery to those injured.

“Expressing support to the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, and in person of him the Lebanese-Armenian community, President Sarkissian also expressed readiness to assist. The President expressed conviction that the Lebanese-Armenians, who have passed through and have overcome numerous challenges, together with the entire brotherly people of Lebanon will be able to overcome this difficult challenge as well”.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS