Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Beshara Boutros Rahi met, in Diman on Monday, with former president Michel Sleiman, accompanied by former minister Nazem Khoury.

Talks reportedly featured high on the current general situation and most recent developments.

"We highlighted the necessity to dissociate Lebanon from regional conflicts. Lebanon cannot be a center for religions' dialogue if [Lebanese] are interfering in regional unrest," Sleiman told reporters following the meeting.

On the investigation into the martyrdom of the military hostages, Sleiman said: "I was the first one to call for an investigation, even before they found the bodies. There have been political accusations related to an entire tenure not just a person."

"We also regretted that those who had killed the hostages were allowed to leave," he added.

"The truth must be liberated and not political," he concluded

Source: AFP