The Lebanese Syrian relations in the DRM (Daily Star)

MP Lahoud stresses harmony with Syria
''''These are two countries that are capable of complementing one another, not competing''''
Sfeir calls for inter-religious dialogue

TheDailyStar

The Maronite patriarch on Monday called for solidarity among the nation''''s Muslim and Christian youth and pointed out that the Taif Accord has not yet been fully implemented.Speaking at his summer residence in Diman, Cardinal Nasrallah Butros Sfeir said he had begun the national dialogue and that 'it should not stop.' 'The national dialogue was making progress,' he said, 'but if young Muslims avoid young Christians, we shall have no true homeland.'Instructing people on the virtues of 'cooperating amongst ourselves,' Sfeir cited the example of lawyers, doctors and businesspeople who were able to work together despite having different faiths. Sfeir blamed the current increase in emigration on the deteriorating economic situation. People 'have always emigrated, but not to this extent,' he said, adding that the rising emigration numbers are due to the fact that 'the Lebanese are always looking for better living conditions.' 'The main reason for the present emigration is that young people graduate with degrees and they cannot find work here. So they drift away.' Blaming the economic crisis on 'twisted politics,' he called on both Muslims and Christians to continue national dialogue. 'Muslims should contact Christians, and vice versa, so the two sides can pull together for the country''''s reconstruction.' Asked about the possibility that an Islamic republic could be set up here, Sfeir called such an eventuality 'unlikely,' adding that if the country 'ever loses its Christian population, there would be no sense in it remaining independent.' In an indirect call to free the ex-leader of the banned Lebanese Forces, Samir Geagea, Sfeir said authorities should prosecute all former militia leaders. First lady Andree Lahoud welcomes Princess Lalla Mariam of Morocco, who arrived in Beirut on Monday for a brief visit Nadim Salem, Bassem Jisr and Lahoud: 'We don''''t subscribe to pre-conceived positions'