Damascus: Patriarch begs world to stop sending arms to Syria

Patriarch Gregory III

Following a series of lethal explosions Damascus last week, the Greek Catholic Melkite Patriarch Gregory III Laham has issued a statement urging the world to stop sending weapons to Syria.

"We appeal to the whole world to stop arms from being sent to Syria. We ask the international community and the most important countries in the world, to support Syrian efforts to promote dialogue, in order to reach a diplomatic solution to the crisis " said the Patriarch.

"From the depth of our heart we cry to the conscience of the entire world, to leaders of nations, especially of Arab countries, to international institutions, to peace militants, to His Holiness the Pope and to Bishops Conferences throughout the world. We beg them to listen to our voice and to see the suffering of the Syrian people.

"No one has the right to exonerate himself or deny his responsibility in the face of these massacres, this destruction and these acts of violence, or in the face of hatred and rancour between sons of the same homeland ".

Gregory III Laham appeals lastly to the United States and to Russia to "continue sincere efforts to promote dialogue and reach a political and global solution " and finally urges "His Holiness, the Pope, and those in positions of responsibility at the Apostolic See of Rome, to launch a diplomatic initiative on behalf of the Catholic Church based on its world wide spiritual influence ".

On 21 February three successive explosions in the Mazraa district of the Syrian capital left 53 persons dead, 235 wounded and seriously damaged a school and a hospital.

Source: Fides