Bishop Samir Mazloum has denied that a conference of Maronite MPs that was set to be held in Bkirki next month was postponed to avoid a meeting between Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi and Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea. Al-Rahi sees the campaigns launched against him in a “democratic way whereby each side is free to express its opinion,” the bishop said. [Naharnet]

Indeed, Patriarch Rai has been seeking to unite Christians in Lebanon under Bkerke's roof ever since he was elected Patriarch.