Rahi concludes Riyadh visit, says nothing can affect ties with Saudi Arabia

Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Beshara Boutros Rahi on Tuesday wrapped up his visit to Saudi Arabia, after he held his last meeting with the Prince of Riyadh Faisal bin Bandar, in presence of the Lebanese accompanying delegation and a panel of Saudi ministers and officials.

Speaking to reporters following the meeting, Prince Bandar said that he was delighted to meet with the Maronite Patriarch, hoping he would visit Lebanon “in the future when there is security, safety, and stability.”

“This has always been the goal of the mutual visits, to establish a new policy amid the leadership of King Salman bin Abdul Aziz and our brothers in Lebanon,” the Prince of Riyadh said.

For his part, heaped praise on Saudi Arabia’s “love” for Lebanon, indicating that the Saudi King had confirmed his “permanent support our nation” and “appreciation for the Lebanese expatriates who are working in Saudi Arabia and who have contributed to building it and respected its laws and traditions.”

“Nothing can affect the Lebanese-Saudi relations, and this is what we heard today from the Saudi King, Crown Prince, and Prince Bandar. They all maintain their love and support for Lebanon,” Rahi underlined.

Moreover, the Patriarch described his meeting with Prime Minister Saad Hariri as “very, very good,” revealing that the “Prime Minister will return to Lebanon in the nearest time possible.”

In response to a question, Rahi said he was fully convinced of the reasons behind Hariri’s resignation.

“Hariri has confirmed during his TV appearance that he was ready to renege on his resignation and carry on his mission. He must talk to the President of the republic and the House Speaker, as well as with the political leaderships, about the reasons of his resignation. Hariri is ready to carry on serving this nation,” he added.

Afterwards, Rahi headed to Rome to meet with Vatican officials

Source: NNA