Suleiman to Pope: No Democracy without Christian Participation in Political Life
President Michel Suleiman said Saturday that democracy can't be achieved in the Middle East without the participation of Christians in political life and governance.
“Democracy cannot go straight … without the participation of the Christian element - which has been rooted in the East for more than 2,000 years - in the political life and management of public affairs no matter what the numbers are,” Suleiman said at Baabda palace.
“Coexistence is not a rigid equation,” he told Pope Benedict XVI, who visited the presidential palace on the second day of his three-day visit to Lebanon.
Suleiman said the Lebanese are aware that the pope's visit would contribute to “restoring the luster to its (Lebanon's) glare” as a nation of dialogue and agreement and an example of the dialogue among civilizations.
He said among the challenges facing Lebanon is the full implementation of U.N. Security Council resolution 1701 over Israel's continued violation of Lebanese sovereignty.
Other challenges include the danger of terrorism and strife and the prevention of the naturalization of Palestinians in Lebanon which contravenes the Constitution and the right of the refugees to return to their homeland.
Suleiman also cited sustainable development, the protection of the environment, and providing job opportunities as other major challenges facing the country.
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