Patriarch Rahi to Hollande: Assad is Not Worse than Syria Militants Lebanese Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi considers that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is not worse than militants engaged in the fight against the Syrian gove

Lebanese Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi considers that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is not worse than militants engaged in the fight against the Syrian government.

Arab daily, al-Hayat, reported on Wednesday that French President Froncois Hollande received Rahi in Paris, adding that the two men discussed the Lebanese-French ties and the impact of the situations in the region on Lebanon.

“The French president underlined his country's keenness on Lebanon's stability, the safety of its citizens and political understanding among all the components of the Lebanese society … He also emphasized France's permanent solidarity with Lebanon and its commitment to its role as a peace factor,” a statement issued by the Elysee Palace said.

Al-Hayat, quoted well-informed source as saying that “Patriarch Rahi voiced concern over the situation of the Christians in Syria and the increasing number of Syrian refugees in Lebanon.”

“Rahi told Hollande that a huge number of Orthodox Syrians had left their country, and they represent 60 percent of Christians in Syria,” the source noted.

Rahi also stressed that the solution in Syria must be political, noting that President Bashar Assad is not worse that those who have been fighting in Syria, according to the source.