Latest news with #JohnX
National News
16-03-2025
- Politics
- National News
Patriarch John X meets with Mitri: For a government that works hand in hand with the President to advance Lebanon
NNA - Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, John X, received on Sunday Deputy Prime Minister, Tarek Mitri, at the Patriarchal Residence in Balamand. Driscussions touched on current issues and the general situation prevailing in the country. The Patriarch expressed his hope that "the new government will bring prosperity to Lebanon" and stressed "the importance of its role in cooperating with the President of the Republic to advance the country and maintain its stability in light of the developments taking place in the region." ==========
Shafaq News
08-03-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Syrian patriarchs urge end to violence in coastal region
Shafaq News/ on Saturday called for an end to escalating violence in the country's coastal region, urging swift action toward national reconciliation. In a joint statement, John X, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East MOR, Ignatius Aphrem II, Syriac Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and Youssef Absi, Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, condemned the recent wave of killings and attacks on civilians. "In recent days, Syria has witnessed a dangerous escalation of violence, brutality, and killings, resulting in attacks on innocent civilians, including women and children. Homes have been violated, their sanctity disregarded, and properties looted—scenes that starkly reflect the immense suffering endured by the Syrian people," the statement said. The patriarchs denounced "massacres targeting innocent citizens" and called for an end to the violence, saying such acts "stand in stark opposition to all human and moral values." They urged authorities to create the necessary conditions for national reconciliation, ensuring a transition to a state that 'respects all its citizens and lays the foundation for a society based on equal citizenship and genuine partnership, free from the logic of vengeance and exclusion." The church leaders also reaffirmed their opposition to any attempt to divide Syria and called on all parties inside the country to take responsibility for stopping the cycle of violence and pursuing peaceful solutions. Fighting has gripped Syria's coastal region, home to a majority Alawite population, since Wednesday, leaving dozens dead. Syrian security forces said they were battling armed groups linked to former military officer Suheil al-Hassan, once a prominent commander under President Bashar al-Assad. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on Saturday that the civilian death toll from the coastal violence had surpassed 340, including women and children.
Rudaw Net
08-03-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Syria's Christian leaders call for ‘immediate end' to violence
Also in Syria 340 Alawite civilians killed in west Syria: War monitor SDF captures ISIS leader in eastern Syria Global concern about Syria unrest Syrian leader calls on Assad loyalists to hand over weapons A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Syria's Christian leaders on Saturday called for an 'immediate end' to the violence on the western coast that has left hundreds of people dead and urged reconciliation. 'In recent days, Syria has witnessed a dangerous escalation of violence, brutality, and killings, resulting in attacks on innocent civilians, including women and children. Homes have been violated, their sanctity disregarded, and properties looted - scenes that starkly reflect the immense suffering endured by the Syrian people,' read a joint statement from three patriarchs of Antioch - Greek Orthodox Patriarch John X, Syriac Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, and Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch Youssef Absi. They called for an 'immediate end to these horrific acts' and the 'swift creation of conditions conducive to achieving national reconciliation.' Violence erupted in Alawite-majority areas on Syria's Mediterranean coast when armed groups, many loyal to ousted president Bashar al-Assad, launched attacks. Damascus responded with heavy force, cracking down on the largest challenge to their newly established rule. At least 340 Alawite civilians have been killed in documented field executions, and 120 combatant deaths reported among rebels and remnants of the former regime, Rami Abdulrahman, the director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told Rudaw on Saturday, estimating that another more than 1,000 people have also been killed. Interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, in a televised speech on Friday, called on the armed gunmen to surrender. 'By your heinous act of killing those who protect Syria and stay up to serve it, storming hospitals and terrorizing the innocent, you have attacked all Syrian, by doing so, you have committed a great and unforgivable sin, and you have received a response that you cannot bear, so, throw away your weapons and surrender before it is too late,' state media SANA reported him saying. 'We will hunt remnants of the deposed regime, those who refused to do anything but continue in their oppression and tyranny, those who committed crimes against the people, and those who seek to undermine security and civil peace,' he added. Assad and many who were in his inner circle are Alawites. The Observatory's Abdulrahman cautioned against using the regime loyalist label. 'We cannot justify killings by claiming that every person killed is a regime loyalist,' he said, noting that among those killed were 'opponents of Bashar al-Assad's regime and former detainees in his prisons' who were executed in their homes. The violence has drawn condemnation from many corners, including the United Nations, Britain, Iraq, and Iran. Saudi Arabia and Turkey have expressed support for the Syrian authorities.
