Beirut, on September 7, 2012

His Eminence the Sheikh Akl of the Druze Unitarian Community the Sheikh Naim Hassan certified that the apostolic guidance signed by the blessed pope John Paul II during his visit to Lebanon under the title “a new hope for Lebanon”, has fortified the national heritage, hoping that the new guidance that will be signed by the Pope Benedict would be a new sign contributing to dialogue and agreement for the union and convergence of the Lebanese people.
Regarding the statements and the positions discussed by the mass media about the visit, he expressed the rejection of the Druze Community to all that might provoke confessional fanaticism and harm the Pope. In fact, the common point is to welcome in this great visit a dear and honored guest on the Lebanese territory.
He hoped that the Honorable Vatican and all the neighbor countries put the Palestinian issue in top priority and that all the Lebanese live together with coexistence, charity and martyrdom for Lebanon and its independence.
He added: we, as a Druze Community, believe in this land and are convinced that the national Islamo-Christian union is an urgent need, and that this union is a necessity for the safety of this nation.