Lebanese Maronite Christian Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir (L) steps out of a helicopter in the U.S embassy in Awkar, in north Beirut, July 20, 2006 as he returns from his visit to the U.S.. A tiny U.S. Marine force landed in Lebanon on Thursday to evacuate Americans stranded by a nine-day-old Israeli bombardment, which has killed more than 300 people but failed to stop Hizbollah rocket strikes on Israel. REUTERS/George Abdallah (LEBANON)

BKIRKI: A newly returned Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir said Thursday that US officials are "concerned" about Lebanon and "eager" to end the violence under "reasonable and acceptable conditions." Sfeir and his accompanying delegation returned to Beirut Thursday morning aboard a US military helicopter, via Cyprus, after completing a pastoral tour of the United States to mark the Maronite Church's 40th anniversary in America.

Sfeir was welcomed at the US Embassy in Awkar by Ambassador Jeffrey Feltman and Justice Minister Charles Rizk.

The prelate then headed directly to Bkirki, where he was welcomed home by MP Fouad Saad and several bishops.

During his US tour, Sfeir visited Maronite parishes in St. Louis, Chicago, Detroit, Lawrence, New York and Washington. He also took part in the annual congress in Chicago.

Sfeir said he "was relieved to see that American brethren of Lebanese origins were following up with concern on the destruction of Lebanon during the past few days, especially now at the beginning of the summer season, during which the annual income of the Lebanese is boosted."

The prelate called for using "reason and wisdom, not extremism and agitation," and prayed that efforts to put an end to the ongoing and recurring "tragedy" in Lebanon would be supported.

Sfeir is expected to chair an emergency meeting of the Maronite Bishops Council on Friday morning in Bkirki.

Remarks With Maronite Patriarch of Lebanon Nasrallah Sfeir Before Their Meeting

Secretary Condoleezza Rice
Washington, DC
July 18, 2006

SECRETARY RICE: I am so very pleased that you could join me and I am, of course, very concerned about the events in Lebanon. I'm very concerned about the people of Lebanon, about Lebanon's freedom and democracy and a Lebanon where all Lebanese can prosper. And we are, of course, working very hard to make certain that Lebanon retains its sovereignty. We're working very hard to try and minimize the impact of the current conflict on the Lebanese people. And I want you to know that we're not only working hard, but we're also praying for the people of Lebanon.

MARONITE PATRIARCH SFEIR: Thank you. Thank you for the action you have taken in favor of this small country but there are many difficulties. The world says the Resolution 1559 will it be applied.

SECRETARY RICE: Yes.

MARONITE PATRIARCH SFEIR: But it is not up to the Lebanese Government to apply it. It is so weak to do so. There is another way to apply this, but I do not know how. But our interest is that all the citizens will be equal (inaudible). When some are having arms and the others have not there is no equality and I've said this a long time that -- how to apply this I don’t know. (Inaudible) perhaps, some other -- some pressure to (inaudible).

SECRETARY RICE: Yes. Well, the international community has to help you.

MARONITE PATRIARCH SFEIR: Exactly. Exactly.

SECRETARY RICE: I mean that’s it, the international community must insist on the enforcement of 1559 which we, the international community, passed. And so we will work.

MARONITE PATRIARCH SFEIR: There's a better way.

SECRETARY RICE: Yes, we will work.

MARONITE PATRIARCH SFEIR: Thank you.

2006/694

The prelate called for using "reason and wisdom, not extremism and agitation," and prayed that efforts to put an end to the ongoing and recurring "tragedy" in Lebanon would be supported.

God is answering that prayer through the Jews. They have every reason to want Christians to prevail in Lebanon, but the Hez to be neutralized. The Hez are stiff necked so this means their own annihilation. All they would have to do is give the two Israeli soldiers back and quit shooting the rockets into Israel and all would be peace, but noooooo.

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