Sfeir to meet Bush to talk Hizbullah and bilateral relations

By Rita Boustani
Daily Star staff
Wednesday, March 16, 2005

Sfeir to meet Bush to talk Hizbullah and bilateral relations

BEIRUT: Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir said Tuesday he was in Washington as a "friend of democracy" and to promote friendship between Lebanon and the U.S.

Speaking upon his arrival in the American capital, where he is due to meet U.S. President George W. Bush Wednesday, Sfeir said: "We want for Lebanon to live in peace, to be a free, sovereign and independent country, a country for all people. Let's give it an opportunity to regain its special status within the international community."

It has been understood that Sfeir's visit is aimed at convincing the Bush administration to soften its stance toward the Lebanese resistance group Hizbullah, which the U.S. deems a terrorist organization.

But Sfeir said his visit to the U.S., which he described as a "democratic country par excellence," was aimed at promoting "brotherly relations between Christian and Muslim communities in Lebanon and the people of this great and noble nation."

He added: "The message I am carrying is that of love, respect and appreciation for the United States. We appreciate and thank all those who can help Lebanon regain its sovereignty and independence."

The Patriarch is on a one-week trip that will take him to Washington and New York for meetings with top-level U.S. and UN officials.

Commenting on the ever-changing political developments in Lebanon, Sfeir said he was "proud the Lebanese people are determined to live side by side and work together for a better future."

He added that he had thanked God "because we have moved toward a true reconciliation, peace, dialogue and unity."

The Lebanese Patriarch expressed pride at hailing from a country that Pope John Paul II described as "a message of brotherhood and coexistence for the whole world."

On Tuesday night, the Maronite Church in Washington held a reception in Sfeir's honor, while the Lebanese Ambassador to the U.S., Farid Abboud, will hold another reception at his home for the Patriarch.

Sfeir, accompanied by Bishop Roland Abu Jaoude and Father Khalil Alwan, was welcomed at the airport by Lebanese Ambassador to Washington Farid Abboud, charge d'affaires at the Lebanese Embassy Carla Jazra, and Military Attache Brigadier Tony Abu Jaoude.

Also on hand were Bishops Estephan Doueihy, Robert Chahine and Gregory Mansour; members of the Lebanese community in Washington; head of the Lebanese Forces politburo Joseph Jbeily; member of the Qornet Shehwan Gathering Christian opposition group Jean Aziz; member of former army commander General Michel Aoun's Free Patriotic Movement Antoine Haddad; and Michel and Charles Hajj.