Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai on Tuesday, January 27, presided over a meeting of the patriarchs of the Churches of the East to discuss the situation of Christians in the Middle East, especially the circumstances experienced by those who have been displaced from Iraq and Syria, and to call on leading states to secure their safe return them to their countries of origin.

A statement was issued at the conclusion of the meetings. The statement conveyed thanks to the states and the organizations that provide financial and in-kind aid to the displaced “hoping that this aid will increase to help meet the needs of the displaced who are experiencing tragic conditions.”

The statement also “urged local governments as well as international communities to provide aid to the displaced; to seriously exert effort leading to securing their return to their lands as well as to help them rebuild their homes; to free abducted military and civilian personnel as well as clergymen including Bishop Yohanna Ibrahim and Bishop Boulos Yazigi; to put an end to the war in Syria and Iraq through peaceful means, political negotiations and dialogue among the warring parties; and to block all kind of aid received by terrorist organization.”

The statement also called for the election of Lebanese president stating that Lebanon needs a wise and credible president capable of tackling the current socio-economic problems that plague the country.

The statement concludes by calling for massing efforts to end wars and terrorist acts as well as pray for establishing just and comprehensive peace in the region and the world.

The meeting was attended by Greek-orthodox patriarch Youhanna Yazigi; Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Mar Aghnatios Afram II; Patriarch Greek-catholic Gregory III Laham; Syrian Catholic Patriarch Mar Aghnatios Youssef III Younane; Joseph Arnaout, representative of the Armenian Catholicos of Cilicia, Nercès Bedros IX; Michel Kassargi, Chaldean bishop in Lebanon; Pastor Sélim Sahyoun, President of the High Council of the Evangelical community in Lebanon and Syria; the Apostolic Nuncio Gabriele Caccia; several representatives of Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant charitable organizations.
.