Sfeir says Lebanon near ‘abyss,’ and Fadlallah blames pressure from outside

ICC Note

“If the Christian presence diminishes, this will not be seen as a loss for the Christians only, but for all non-Christians too,”

By Maroun Khoury

March 12, 2008 Lebanon (The Daily Star)-Kesrouank: Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir voiced concern on Tuesday for the Christian community in Lebanon amid what he described as “the tragic situation the Lebanese are sinking in.” “The situation in Lebanon has dragged the country to the edge of the abyss,” he said during a conference on “Christian Presence” in Fatka. “We can say that disturbance in the country is due to political affairs with which ulterior motives and selfishness have interlaced.”

According to Sfeir, the Christian presence in Lebanon was not only beneficial for the country, but rather to all countries in the region.

“If the Christian presence diminishes, this will not be seen as a loss for the Christians only, but for all non-Christians too,” he said. “The presence of Christians was and is still a factor of wealth for Lebanon and all countries where they reside along with their Muslim brothers in an atmosphere of solidarity and mutual respect.”