NICOSIA: Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai said Friday he looked forward to a bright future for Cyprus during talks with Cypriot President Demetris Christofias.
Rai affirmed his support for unity in Cyprus, saying: "We look forward to achieving peace and unity on the island so that its people's suffering can end and they can live comfortably.”
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 between the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus, which is predominantly Greek, and the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is recognized only by Turkey. Negotiations between the two sides aim at reuniting the island.
Rai, who is on an official visit, thanked Cyprus for hosting the Maronite community, which traces its presence on the island to the 9th century, and other Lebanese who had taken refuge in the country.
“I met with U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in October and spoke about the island's unity and the four villages whose inhabitants were forced to emigrate,” Rai noted, in a reference to the four traditionally Maronite villages in the Turkish-occupied north whose inhabitants fled their homes following the 1974 invasion and now live in the predominantly Greek portion of the island.
Today, most Maronites in Cyprus live in the capital Nicosia as well as in Limassol and Larnaca.
In recent decades, Cyprus has also become home to Lebanese of various sects who have relocated to a geographically proximate but -- except for the year 1974 -- decidedly less tumultuous country. This was especially true of the civil war period in Lebanon (1975-1990), when many Lebanese moved to the tranquil island nation, which is now a member of the EU.
Before traveling, Rai spoke with reporters at Rafik Hariri International Airport, referring to the Maronites' 1,200-year presence in Cyprus and explaining the purpose of his visit.
“The Cyprus visit is a spiritual and pastoral one, and aims at checking on Maronites and their situation in both the Greek and Turkish sectors,” he said.
Rai is scheduled to meet with a number of government and church officials in a bid to strengthen ties.
This is Rai's first visit to the island nation since his appointment as patriarch last year.
He has recently traveled to France, Iraq and the U.S., where he met with Lebanese expatriates and voiced concern over the Christian presence in the Middle East.