Sfeir: personal and political interests of "someone" behind the attack on President Sleiman

Interviewed by the pan-Arab newspaper Asharq al-Awsat about the campaign launched against the head of state, the Cardinal replied that "the campaign did not come from nowhere because there are people who are planning it." And, in a subsequent question as to whether the campaign was orchestrated from Syria or from Aoun's leader of the Free Patriotic Movement, he replied " There are some who have political and personal interests and others who want to topple the President to take his place, and perhaps there are some who have other plots”.

As to the role of Syria, the Patriarch said that "Syria has left Lebanon militarily, but continues to maintain a civilian presence in Lebanon. Syrians go and come whenever they want and it is clear that they interfere in Lebanese affairs. " This is because "There may be some Lebanese who want the Syrians to return for personal purposes, but this is not clear until now”.  

On the other hand, it is in Lebanon's interest to forge "best relations with its neighbours, and the nearest neighbour is Syria”. "This is something normal, but there are events that create a distance between the two neighbours and others that bring the two neighbours closer." Thus, " The exchange of ambassadors is a good thing, of course, but this is not everything. There are, of course, some desires”.  

Patriarch Sfeir, finally, appears not to want to give weight to speculation about his resignation, as some would wish to present his upcoming visit to Rome, April 21. "Let them say what they want." Asked whether he will ever think of resigning or stepping down he adds, "when the time comes." (PD)