NNA - Greek Orthodox Patriarch John X (Yazigi) of Antioch and All the East, on Wednesday called for building bridges of love among the Lebanese by developing faith and accepting one another.



Yazigi's words came in a speech he delivered today at the University of Balamand, during his first visit to Lebanon after having been enthroned as Patriarch in Damascus last Sunday.



"Here I stand today, on the top of this hill in Balamand to greet Lebanese President Michel Sleiman and all of you," Yazigi said as saluting swarms of people who came to welcome him in Lebanon.



He promised to exert relentless efforts to achieve Christian unity in the Middle East Region -- especially that the Orthodox Church is the biggest in the Arab world.



"We shall work hand in hand with our national partners to attain justice and a decent living," he said.



Speaking about the Orthodox Church in Lebanon, Yazigi said it was seeking to build, along with all the Lebanese, "one nation that rejects foreign dictates."



Yazigi also confirmed that the Orthodox sect did not expect any unique privileges. "We are working for all the different segments of the Lebanese society alike," he added.


================R.H.