BEIRUT/RIYADH: King Salman on Tuesday received Lebanon鈥檚 Maronite Catholic Patriarch Bechara Al-Rahi in Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh.
They 鈥渞eviewed fraternal relations between the Kingdom and Lebanon and confirmed the importance of the role of different religions and cultures in promoting tolerance, and renouncing violence and terrorism,鈥� the Saudi Press Agency said.
After the meeting, the patriarch said: 鈥淚 can assure you that we are returning carrying an ode of love for the country and we must work together, each from his own position 鈥� in order to portray the beautiful face of Lebanon, which we need very much.鈥�
Nothing should affect relations between 抖阴短视频 and Lebanon, the patriarch said. 鈥淎nd even if special circumstances occurred, they should not affect the current friendship. And this is what we heard today from the king and the crown prince.鈥�
The meeting was attended by Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdul Aziz bin Saud bin Naif; Musaid Al-Aiban, minister of state and member of the Cabinet; Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir; and Gulf Affairs Minister Thamer Al-Sabhan.
The patriarch also met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Lebanon鈥檚 ambassador to the Kingdom, Abdul Sattar Issa, said Al-Rahi was very happy to have met the king and crown prince during his first ever visit to 抖阴短视频.
鈥淭he patriarch discussed religious and cultural issues with the king and crown prince, and explored ways to strengthen cooperation between the religious bodies of the two countries,鈥� Issa told Arab News. This is the start of future exchanges of visits, he added.
Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, who resigned last week, also met with Al-Rahi, but the meeting was held away from the media, Lebanon鈥檚 National News Agency (NNA) reported. The patriarch described the meeting as 鈥渧ery nice.鈥�
Al-Rahi said Hariri conveyed that 鈥渉e鈥檚 ready to resume his job, but there needs to be discussions with鈥� Lebanese leaders about the issues that made him resign.鈥�
If and when Hariri decides to return to Lebanon, the patriarch said: 鈥淎 new era would begin, God willing, and a new march. Let us always look forward.鈥�
Al-Rahi declared his backing for Hariri and said he supported the reasons for Hariri鈥檚 resignation.
鈥淚 am fully convinced by the reasons for his resignation,鈥� the patriarch said. 鈥淗e was expressing something he felt in his heart and experience. He will return to Lebanon as soon as possible.鈥�
Hariri confirmed this. 鈥淓verybody, I鈥檓 totally fine. God willing, I鈥檒l be back in these two days. Let鈥檚 calm down,鈥� he said on social media. He said his family would remain in 抖阴短视频, which was 鈥渢heir country.鈥�
Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar held a luncheon banquet in honor of Al-Rahi and his delegation.
It was attended by Riyadh Deputy Gov. Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdul Aziz; Faisal bin Abdul Aziz Al-Sudairy, undersecretary of the Riyadh governorate; Suhmi bin Shuwaimi bin Fawiz, special adviser and general supervisor of the office of Riyadh鈥檚 governor; Riyadh Mayor Ibrahim Al-Sultan; and other senior officials, the SPA reported.
鈥淲e hope to meet in Lebanon, and that Lebanon lives in security and stability,鈥� said Prince Faisal.
鈥淭he purpose of the mutual visits is to establish a new policy鈥� under the leadership of King Salman and the dear brothers in Lebanon.鈥�
Al-Rahi told reporters: 鈥淲e were honored to meet King Salman and the crown prince. We crowned the visit by meeting the governor of Riyadh, whom we thank for his love. What we heard, both from the king and the crown prince鈥� was the ode of Saudi love of Lebanon.鈥�
The patriarch added: 鈥淭he king never stopped talking about Lebanon, and expressed his big love of Lebanon and his hope in the continuous support of Lebanon.鈥�
The king and crown prince talked about 鈥渢heir respect for the Lebanese community in the Kingdom, especially that they鈥檙e active and have contributed in building the Kingdom which is dear to them, and they love and respect its laws and traditions,鈥� Al-Rahi said.
鈥淲e must work together鈥� in order to portray the beautiful face of Lebanon, which we need very much.鈥�
Al-Rahi said 鈥渘othing should affect鈥� bilateral relations, 鈥渁nd this is what we heard from the king, the crown prince and the governor of Riyadh.鈥�
The patriarch said his visit highlighted the strong cultural links between Lebanon and 抖阴短视频.
During a community reception hosted in honor of Al-Rahi at the Lebanese Embassy, he said he was very happy to visit the Kingdom.
Thanking the king and crown prince for the invitation, Al-Rahi said 抖阴短视频 had contributed immensely to supporting and building Lebanon economically and politically, and had helped the country strengthen its security and stability.
Al-Rahi left Riyadh on Tuesday evening for church meetings at the Vatican.