US's planned attack on Syria is a criminal act, says Patriarch

Attack would destroy Arab world's trust, says Gregory III Laham.

Rome:  "We must listen to the Pope's appeal for peace in Syria. If western countries want to create true democracy then they must build it on reconciliation, through dialogue between Christians and Muslims, not with weapons. This attacked being planned by the United States is a criminal act, which will only reap more victims, in addition to the tens of thousands of these two years of war. This will destroy the Arab world's trust in the West," Gregory III Laham, Patriarch of Antioch of the East, of Alexandria and Jerusalem of the Melkites told AsiaNews.

His appeal comes “just a few hours after rumours of an imminent United States attack against Damascus. The intervention is supported by other countries: France, Great Britain, Turkey and the Arab League. The religious leader has sent out Pope Francis' August 25 appeal to all of Syria's parishes.”

"The voice of Christians - said the Patriarch - is that of the Holy Father. At this time we must be pragmatic. Syria needs stability and an armed attack against the government really has no sense at all."

Source: Vatican Insider