The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch John Yazigi received at the Patriarchal See of Balamand the Director General of the Fares Foundation Mr. William Moujalli who conveyed him the salutations of former deputy Prime Minister Issam Fares.

A long phone conversation was held between the Patriarch and Fares during which they tackled the prevailing juncture, mainly the status of the Antiochian Patriarchal See in Damascus in light of the deteriorating security situation and the repercussions of this tense conjuncture on the Lebanese interior scene.

Bishop Yazeji and Fares also discussed the Patriarch's upcoming visit to Turkey next Friday.

Fares renewed his full, unwavering support for Patriarch Yazeji and his contacts with the Orthodox church in Lebanon and Syria, as well as the efforts he relentlessly deploys for the release of the two kidnapped Bishops Yohanna Ibrahim and Boulos Yazeji. Mr. Fares informed H.B the Patriarch about the personal contacts he is making, in this regard, with a number of regional and international figures and personalities.