Saudi ambassador exhorts Lebanese to preserve diversity and coexistence

Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid Bukhari said on Thursday that “there is no legitimacy for the discourse of strife and division, nor for one that goes against Lebanon’s Arab identity.”

The envoy was speaking at a celebration held in Bkirki, the headquarters of the Maronite Patriarchate, on the occasion of the publication of the book “The Maronite Patriarchate’s Relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia” by Father Antoine Daou.

His remarks came as the US Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea and her French counterpart Anne Grillo were visiting the Kingdom for meetings with Saudi officials.

Bukhari called on political parties “to prioritize Lebanon’s national interest to confront the attempts of some to harm Lebanon’s close relationship with its Arab depth.”

The constitution’s preamble “states with complete clarity that Lebanon is an ultimate homeland for all its sons; Lebanon has an Arab identity and belonging; there is no legitimacy to any authority contradicting the charter of coexistence,” he said.

Bukhari added: “Based on the importance of the national and all-embracing role of Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi, we recommend preserving diversity and coexistence, whose foundations were laid by the Taif Agreement, which is entrusted with national unity and civil peace.

The envoy added that the Kingdom “does not allow Lebanon’s identity to be compromised

for any reason.” He said that both Christians and Muslims “are essential components of this authentic Eastern Arab identity.”

Al-Rahi said the government “shall be formed, and parliamentary and presidential elections shall be held on time per the constitution; only then will we walk the path of salvation.”

Al-Rahi added that Saudi Arabia “has always understood the meaning and value of Lebanon’s existence in the heart of the Arab world, and it never attempted to stir conflicts. On the contrary, it sought to preserve Lebanon’s neutral position and ensure its sovereignty and independence.”

Ambassador Walid Bukhari said that both Christians and Muslims ‘are essential components of this authentic Eastern Arab identity.’