A delegation from Hezbollah in Lebanon visited Monday the Lebanese Maronite Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros Rahi, who stressed the need to establish a democratic civil state in Lebanon that respects all values and alienates religion from political work.

The Hezbollah delegation was headed by Sheikh Mohammad Amro. The visit to Rahi came in the context of felicitating him for the New Year. 

Rahi saw great potential for Muslims and Christians to cooperate in establishing a civil state that respects its people's multiplicity. 

"I am pleased, on behalf of Cardinal Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir and all members of the Bishopric, to welcome you, and thank you for your holiday greetings. We also hope that the year 2012 would be full of goodness, peace and wellbeing", he said. 

He added that each one is responsible for building the peace that is a gift from God, the same as justice. "When we wish each other to have a good and blessed year, it means that we should commit to living the holy values because they are blessings from heavens, and we build our daily lives upon them", Patriarch Rahi clarified.

Praising Lebanon, Rahi stated that Lebanon has a message to deliver, recalling what the Pope had described Lebanon to be a "message and model for the east and west". 

"Lebanon should tell all the people of this east, most of which are Muslims and Christians, that we can live in diversity; Lebanon is a diverse country, and is full of equality of rights and duties", the Lebanese Patriarch noted.

"Lebanon carries this important message, and today we are the people of Mount Lebanon, and each from his position has a responsibility to protect Lebanon with its diversity and unity", he went on to say.

He called upon officials to return to the national dialogue table to resolve pending disagreements and clarify any insecurities. 

For his part, Sheikh Amro stated, "We are honored to come from Mount Lebanon to this blessed site which has held Lebanon and it slogan throughout the time, embracing all categories of the Lebanese people". 

"We have great hope that this site will remain high in your presence and patriarch care on all the Lebanese", Sheikh Amro addressed Patriarch al-Rai.

Moreover, Sheikh Amro stated, "The circumstances through which Lebanon is passing are currently calm, but the circumstances witnessed by the region are tough and complicated, and it is feared that the conflict would spread into the inside of Lebanon". 

"However, with your wisdom and that of the Lebanese leaders, whom we call upon to think logically in their political movement, debates and dialogue, this conflict can be avoided", he iterated.

"We came to this blessed site to congratulate you on the holidays and this blessed year, hoping that this New Year would be a year of goodness, happiness, and stability away from any worry and problem", Sheikh Amro also indicated.