Teymour Jumblatt, Marwan Hamadeh visit Archbishops Haddad and Ammar in Sidon

Democratic Gathering Head, Walid Jumblatt’s son, Teymour, visited, on Sunday, Sidon and Deir el-Qamar Roman Catholic Archbishop Elie Haddad at Saint Nicolas Church in Sidon, accompanied by Education Minister Marwan Hamadeh and MPs Nehmeh Tohme, Elie Aoun, Alaeddine Terro and Mohamed Hajjar.

The visit was a chance to review various hour issues prevailing on the Lebanese scene, most prominently the election law.

Following the encounter, Archbishop Haddad welcomed his valued visitors, considering their initiative as “proof of the historically existing and everlasting bridge between Christian and Druze citizens of Sidon and the Shouf, preserved by the continuous gestures of kindness and partnership between the Archdiocese and al-Mukhtara.”

“Of course, Lebanon is going through a difficult phase today, especially in finding logical solutions to the electoral law,” said Haddad.

“We have confidence in all parties that are in quest of dialogue to reach an electoral law, and fear of other parties that do not want dialogue. This dialogue must result in a positive outcome,” he asserted.

“All Lebanese are inspired by your visit today,” added Haddad, wishing that “If only all of Lebanon would extend hands to one another until we build the bridge of peace.”

In turn, Minister Hamadeh expressed gratitude to Archbishop Haddad, on behalf of MP Jumblatt and his son, Teymour, and the whole delegation.

“We consider this Archdiocese to be a fundamental reference to our common history and existence,” Hamadeh underscored.

He reiterated the Archbishop’s words that “by dialogue and partnership all obstacles can be overcome, and also through a bright future based on the fundamental principle of national reconciliation.”

Over the election law, Hamadeh stressed that “we are open to all formats and formulas. Of course, we want everyone to be represented properly and we do not accept marginalization in this issue, but what matters to us more than parliamentary seats and more than any quotas is the reconciliation of the Mountain. This is the basic pillar of coexistence in the Lebanese Mountain and in all of Lebanon.”

The delegation’s next stop-over was at Saint Elias Maronite Church in Sidon, where they were received by Sidon and Deir el-Qamar Maronite Archbishop, Maroun Ammar, and a number of priests.

Ammar welcomed the delegation, praising the historical ties with MP Jumblatt and al-Mukhtara and hoping for “continued coexistence amongst the Lebanese, working hand-in-hand together in this nation through goodness, blessings and peace.”