Al-Rai: Lebanon is not toy in the hands of anyone

Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Bshara Butros Al-Rai, stressed Saturday that "Lebanon is not a toy in the hands of anyone!" Al-Rai urged Lebanese officials not to play with the fate of a nation that has given so much to the world at large. "It is unacceptable that political officials attempt to place laws in accordance with their personal aspirations instead of focusing on the nation's best interests," he added. "If officials fail to come-up with an electoral law that is consistent with the nation's value and significance, then they would be a cause of disappointment to the Lebanese," Al-Rai noted. The Patriarch's words came during his visit to Colombia on Saturday, as part of his parish tour to a number of Latin American countries. Lebanese Charge d'Affaires George Abu Zeid held a welcome reception in his honor upon his arrival in Bogota, which was attended by a number of prominent figures and Lebanese expatriate community members. Al-Rai reiterated his call to all Lebanese officials, in the name of all Lebanese people, including Lebanese expatriates, to rise-up to their historical national responsibilities and agree on a new electoral law; in addition to forming a new government that is capable of tending to all pending economic, security and political issues at the current critical stage.