Maronite Patriarch huddles with Lebanese president- rumors of visit to Saudi Arabia

November 09, 2017

Maronite Catholic Patriarch Bechara Boutros Rai met on November 9 with Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun, to confer about the country’s political crisis.

Last week Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad Hariri shocked the country by announcing his resignation, while on a visit to Saudi Arabia. Hariri—who is a Sunni Muslim, and had been seen as a friend of the Saudis—has not been seen in public since that time, and some rumors suggest he is being held by Saudi authorities.

The Maronite Patriarch had been scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia before the current political crisis arose. In his meeting with President Aoun, the two likely discussed whether the visit should be postponed, or whether the Lebanese prelate might act as an intermediary in talks with Saudi officials.

 

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Further information:

• Lebanese crisis, Maronite Patriarch meets President Aoun. His trip to Riyadh into question (Fides)