The Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, His Beatitude John X, met with the visiting UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Lebanon this week.
The UN chief, and former Portuguese prime minister, concluded a so-called ‘solidarity’ visit to crisis-hit Lebanon, calling for an end to political paralysis in the country and for international support. Lebanon has also been plagued by a severe economic recession over the past few years.
The meeting came as part of Guterres’ contacts with the heads of religious communities in Lebanon.
According to reports, all sides confirmed the harmonious relations between different religious groups, stressing that co-existence and cooperation must be preserved and reinforced.
On his part, the Patriarch of Antioch briefed the UN chief over the issues affecting the Orthodox Church in Lebanon and Syria.