Chehab: Berri backs Christians on Iraq
Maronite League head says trouble looms Speaker Nabih Berri expressed satisfaction with Christian moves opposed to
military action against Iraq, according to Hareth Chehab, the president of the Maronite
League.
Chehab was speaking to reporters after calling on Berri Thursday, at the head of a
delegation representing Christian Leagues of various communities in the country.
He said that apart from the storms which hit the country, “a more serious storm is
now expected, represented by the coming hurricane in our region of war on Iraq.”
At the same time, Chehab said, there is growing concern over the war in Palestine with an
Israeli government “worse than its predecessor.”
Chehab indicated that “cohesion between the government and the people” is
important during this difficult time.
He said his talks with Berri touched on the important role played by Christian churches
with respect to the Iraqi issue, the various appeals they made and their “prominent
efforts” in opposition to war.
At the head of these efforts is the appeal made by Pope John Paul II and his recent call,
“which we hope will have a positive response,” he added. The pontiff declared
March 5 a day of fasting and prayer.
Chehab said that the speaker expressed satisfaction with the efforts from the various
communities in the East and the West.
“This will provide backing for the Arab Christians’ stand in their
steadfastness, alongside their Muslim brothers, in defending the region,” he added.
Separately, the Consultative Gathering of Christian MPs said Thursday that Christian
churches’ stand on a war against Iraq had shown a “true spirit of
humanity.”
A follow-up committee from the pro-Syrian group said that their opposition to a war sprung
from a desire to stay away from “arrogance and displays of power.”
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