Thursday, August 6 2020 14:49

ArmInfo.  The ARF  Dashkantsutyun Bureau expressed unconditional support to the  fraternal people of Lebanon and the Lebanese Armenians in connection  with the tragedy in the port of Beirut, which caused serious damage  to the city. In the message of the ARFD, received by ArmInfo, the  Bureau also expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the  innocent victims, while wishing a speedy recovery to the victims of  this terrible tragedy.  Pointing out that the Armenian community of  Lebanon was and remains one of the the most important links of the  Armenian people, and which is always unconditionally donated the  maximum to the collective altar of our people, ARFD noted that the  community itself is now facing serious challenges.

"The political instability in the country in the last year, the  socio-economic and financial crisis, the pandemic and, on top of  that, this terrible explosion have become truly unbearable and  incomprehensible to the human mind.

From the very first moment of the terrible explosion, the ARF Bureau  has been in constant contact with the Lebanese Central Committee,  closely following the development of events. The human, moral and  material damage inflicted is unprecedented.  We are convinced that  both Armenia and Artsakh should provide practical assistance to the  Armenian community of Lebanon. We call on our compatriots both in  Armenia and in the Diaspora to firmly support the Lebanese Armenians  in this time of crisis, "the ARF statement says, adding that the  entire potential of Hay Dat has already been mobilized to support the  Armenians of Lebanon.

"Dear compatriots, the moment is serious. It is extremely important,  with the whole nation, with the all- Armenian potential, to withstand  this catastrophe and once again prove our faith in the unity of our  people," the Bureau summed up.

It should be noted that until 1970 the Armenian community was 250-300  thousand. After many years of civil war, the number of Armenians  living in Lebanon dropped to 140-150 thousand. In the Lebanese city  of Antilias, there is the throne of the Cilicia Catholicosate of the  Armenian Apostolic Church - the Cathedral of St. Grigor the  Illuminator, where it was transferred from Cilicia in 1930 after the  Armenian Genocide.