Christians in Syria Should Refrain From Participating in Syrian Society Given Recent Kidnapping of 12 Nuns in Maaloula, Says Lebanese Patriarch

Cardinal Mar Bechara el-Rahi, the Maronite Patriarch of Lebanon, expressed concern about involving Christians in Syrian events, especially in the wake of the kidnapping of nuns from the St. Takla nunnery in Maaloula and the abduction of bishops Boulos Yazigi and Youhanna Ibrahim in a separate incident.
During a meeting with the president of the Maronite General Council and former minister Wadih el-Khazen, Patriarch Rahi said the failure of the parliament to secure a new electoral law in Lebanon is a stab in the heart to the democratic system they aspire to restore after more than thirty years of fighting.

For his part, el-Khazen said: "Due to the internal situation in Lebanon, we have emphasized to the patriarch the importance of holding the presidential election on time, as President Suleiman has no intention to delay."
Christians in Syria Should Refrain From Participating in Syrian Society Given Recent Kidnapping of 12 Nuns in Maaloula, Says Lebanese Patriarch