In response to the recent developments in Syria and Lebanon, a consultative meeting was convened under the presidency of Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East.
The meeting brought together Metropolitans Elias Audi (Beirut), Elias Kfoury (Tyre and Sidon), Silouan Mousa (Mount Lebanon), Basilios Mansour (Akkar), Ephraim Kyriakos (Tripoli and Koura), and Antonios Souri (Zahle and Baalbek). The gathering was held at the Saint John of Damascus Theological Institute in Balamand.
The assembled hierarchs expressed their satisfaction with the successful completion of Lebanon’s presidential elections and the smooth restoration of political life. They extended their best wishes to the newly inaugurated leadership, hoping for its success in addressing the pressing challenges faced by the Lebanese people and fulfilling their aspirations. As the Patriarch underscored in his remarks following his meeting with President Joseph Aoun at the Presidential Palace, these aspirations remain a central priority.
The Patriarch also briefed the participants on the current situation within the Syrian dioceses, offering a comprehensive analysis of the latest developments and reporting on the outcomes of his engagements with international envoys and other key stakeholders.
The participants expressed their hopes for a future characterized by peace, freedom, justice, unity, and prosperity for both Syria and the broader region. They voiced their heartfelt wish that the region’s people would soon embark on a new chapter marked by stability and progress.