Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
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Beirut, SANA – The Council of Patriarchs of the Orient called for putting an end to the terrorist war on Syria and Iraq, ceasing the supporting and funding of terrorist organizations, and stopping the flow of terrorists to Syria.
In a closing statement issued at the conclusion of the meeting of the Council and heads of Eastern churches in Beirut on Tuesday, which was attended by Maronite Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, the participants called for unity to end wars and terrorism and to achieve just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.
The statement referred to the conditions of Christians in Syria and Iraq and the destruction, death, and displacement caused by conflicts in the region, appealing to local governments and the Arab and international communities to help displaced people and work to return them to their homes.
The Patriarchs also called for working to release abductees and detainees, particularly Bishops Paul Yazigi and John Ibrahim from Aleppo.
The statement asserted the need to put an end to the war on Syria and Iraq using peaceful methods, political negotiations, and serious dialogue, stressing the need to stop supporting, funding, and arming terrorist organizations, adding that no political or economic goals can justify transgressions against humanity.
Earlier during a meeting of Catholic Patriarchs in Bkerké on Tuesday, Patriarch al-Rahi reiterated his call for ending the war on Syria and Iraq using peaceful means and dialogue and for eliminating terrorist organizations.
Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All East John X Yazigi of Antioch, Greek Melkite Catholic Patriarch of Antioch and All East Gregory III Laham, Supreme Leader of the Syriac Orthodox Church Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II, Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignatius Ephrem Joseph III Younan, and head of the Supreme Council Of The Evangelical Community In Syria and Lebanon Reverend Salim Sahiouny attended the meeting along with a number of Lebanese religious figures.
Hazem Sabbagh
