Lebanon/meeting with His Beatitude Bechara Boutros Rai, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East

The French President today had a meeting with His Beatitude Bechara Boutros Rai, [Maronite] Patriarch of Antioch and all the East. The President and the Patriarch of Lebanon discussed the tragic situation of minorities in the region, and in particular Middle Eastern Christians, and the President reiterated his strong commitment to them.

He expressed France’s determination to continue its assistance to Lebanon amid the refugee crisis and the repercussions of the conflict in Syria.

The President presented his greetings to the Maronite Church on the occasion of the creation of the new Maronite eparchy of France. He spoke of the profound and long-standing ties uniting France with Lebanon, and especially with the Maronite community and its church./.