西罗-东正教会主教呼吁"你们救救无辜的卡拉蒙平民"
贝鲁特（亚洲新闻）-叙利亚西罗-东正教会主教斯尔瓦诺斯·布特罗斯·纳阿梅赫蒙席为叙利亚西部、与黎巴嫩毗邻的卡拉蒙地区平民发出呼吁。四天来，沙特阿拉伯支持下的一支吉哈德反叛势力民兵包围了当地，将三千多名平民围困起来。主教呼吁早日解除围困、把村民转移到霍姆斯附近的安全地带。
布特罗斯主教向宗教领导人、各国政府领导人以及所有善心人士发出呼吁，请大家让被围困的平民早日摆脱困境。连日来，粮食、药品告罄；供电和通讯全部中断。
卡拉蒙是沙特赞助的伊斯兰极端势力十分猖獗的地区。占领卡拉蒙意味着可以再次向大马士革政府军和黎巴嫩真主党游击队发起反击。
应布特罗斯主教的要求，我们在此刊登呼吁全文，希望传到世界各地：
To the world's humanitarian and religious institutions and organisations as well as to all the people of good will and those who play a humanitarian role, I am addressing this appeal on behalf of men, women, children, boys and girls, who are currently under siege in areas that are inaccessible, which they cannot leave and which we cannot reach.
These villages are Sadad and Hofar, in the Qalamoun area in Syria. I am writing these words so that you might appeal to the besiegers who have banned residents from leaving, that they might agree to talks in order to facilitate the safe departure of the residents, in any direction, either towards the Convent of Al Attieh or towards the city of Homs where we may welcome them.
I implore all those who belong to the world's influential organisations and those who are in contact with the parties [at war], that they may put pressure on and negotiate with the besiegers, passing on this request for the safe release of the captive residents, this even though most of them have not yet suffered abuse.
These people have been under siege for the past four days without electricity and water, or means of communication. They have little food. Among them, there are children who need milk, and sick people who need medicines.
Around 3,000 people live in the beleaguered communities. Their besiegers are not letting them leave their homes. Indeed, they are putting pressure on them to stay put despite having held talks with them.
We call on all organisations, on all the children of our churches scattered throughout the world, to provide aid and active support. Help us; work with us in the right way, without making statements that could affect the safety of the besieged. Our people shall never forget.
I repeat, reiterating our good intentions so as not to jeopardise the safety of our loved ones: Please post this appeal on your blogs and websites, send it to newspapers, magazines and other media outlets. Send it also to all those who could play a positive role in finding a solution that would secure the residents' release.
For our part, in our mission, we repeat in God's name, and call on the besiegers to show mercy to these innocent people who are not responsible for this tragedy. Let them go, safely and treat them well. We call on God to give these innocent people patience, strength, hope, courage, health and vigour. . . . Lord, Lord, Lord; do not abandon them!
Mgr Silvanus, Syrian-Orthodox bishop
