Parolin meets leaders in Bkerki amidst Shiite boycott

A “spiritual-national summit” took place on Tuesday in Bkerki, attended by key religious and political figures, including the Vatican’s Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin. This gathering was notable for the absence of Shiite representatives, following controversial comments by Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi.

Present at the summit were al-Rahi, Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Daryan, Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Sami Abi al-Mona, Orthodox Armenian Catholicos Aram I, Catholic Armenian Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI, Islamic Alawite Council head Sheikh Ali Qaddour, MP Pierre Bou Assi representing the Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, Free Patriotic Movement leader Jebran Bassil, Marada Movement head Suleiman Franjieh, and MP Nadim Gemayel representing the Kataeb Party leader Sami Gemayel.

During the event, a notable moment occurred with a handshake and conversation between Bassil and Franjieh, as reported by MTV.

Discussions at the summit focused on critical issues affecting Lebanon and the region, with a particular emphasis on resolving the presidential crisis independently of the situation in Gaza, and advocating for peace to prevent conflict from spilling into Lebanon.

Al-Rahi highlighted the dire circumstances, calling for prayers and appeals for peace to avoid the devastating impacts of war on the Lebanese people. Cardinal Parolin expressed hope for solutions to Lebanon’s problems, acknowledging the nation’s suffering.

The summit, initiated by al-Rahi, saw a boycott from Higher Islamic Shiite Council deputy head Sheikh Ali al-Khatib. Shiite cleric Sheikh Ahmad Qabalan commented on the boycott, suggesting it was a response to al-Rahi’s characterization of resistance fighters’ actions as terrorism.

Al-Rahi had earlier stated that Lebanon should not be used as a base for terrorist activities that destabilize the region. Sources from the Higher Islamic Shiite Council indicated Khatib’s boycott was a protest against such stances on the resistance. Clarifying al-Rahi’s comments, sources close to Bkerki noted he had not labeled Hezbollah as a terrorist organization but referred to irregular and foreign factions operating from Lebanon.