NNA - Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Beshara Rahi, met Friday with ambassador of Egypt, Ashraf Hamdi, who highly praised the reconciliatory part the Cardinal plays in the country and region.


Rahi was recently appointed Cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI.


"I found out from Cardinal Rahi the nature of the role played by the Maronite church in Lebanon," said Hamdi, "and praised his Beatitude for his constant encouragement of dialogue between all Lebanese sects, particularly between Muslims and Christians."


Rahi is scheduled to travel to Cairo to partake in inauguration of Bishop Tawadros as Egypt's new Coptic pope.


The Patriarch received numerous congratulatory calls from international religious figures, as well as MP Foad Siniora.


Separately, Rahi received a call from MP Walid Jumblatt condoling him on the passing of his brother.


=================R.Z.