Rai unable to attend Budapest conference on 'Future of Lebanon' due to a cold

Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai was unable to attend the conference "The Future of Lebanon from a Christian Perspective" in Budapest, Hungary due to a cold, Bkirki's spokesperson told L’Orient Today Friday.

A representative attended on his behalf Friday and conveyed his official message, local Lebanese media reported. Media also reported Rai suffered a "health condition" and was hospitalized in Hungary, which was denied by the Patriarcate's spokesperson.

"The conference on Friday is very important, and the situation is positive. It shows that the international community is standing by Lebanon," Rai told MTV Lebanon after arriving in Hungary from Beirut on Thursday to attend the conference.

"The Future of Lebanon from a Christian Perspective" is a conference that focuses on exploring the future of Lebanon, specifically through the lens of the Christian community in the country. This event typically gathers religious, political, and academic leaders to discuss Lebanon's challenges, particularly those related to the Christian population, and how they can contribute to the country's stability and future development. The discussions often center on topics such as Lebanon's political system, the role of Christianity in shaping the nation's identity, social issues, and the broader regional context.

Hungary has often participated or organized events related to the Christian communities in Lebanon and its minister of Foreign Affairs, Péter Szijjártó, makes regular trips to Lebanon. He was in Beirut last week, ahead of the conference.  

Opening the event, Szijjártó said the international community must "assume its responsibilities and work towards the rapid return of Syrians to their homeland," insisting that Lebanon can no longer bear this burden, a statement regularly made by some Lebanese politicians, notably the head of Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) Gebran Bassil.