Lebanese officials and dignitaries praised the appointment of Patriarch Beshara Rai as a new cardinal in the Catholic Church. “Such an appointment proves the importance of Lebanon’s leading role in the Middle East,” Environment Minister Nazem Khoury told the Patriarch during a phone call. The Maronite League also issued a statement highlighting “the importance of such honor to Lebanon, especially in light of the hard circumstances the region is experiencing.” Lebanese Army commander, General Jean Kahwagi, also called Rai to congratulate him over the appointment. In turn, Rai hailed the efforts of the army and all the security forces in keeping the country’s situation under control. “The security forces and the Army remain the only guarantee for all Lebanese,” said Rai. Patriarch Rai joined a lead group of catholic prelates and will be officially appointed on Nov. 24 as a new cardinal in the Catholic Church. Rai, 72, was named Patriarch in 2011 to succeed Sfeir, who resigned after serving for 25 years as Patriarch for the Maronites. He is the fourth patriarch from Lebanon to be appointed cardinal. The other three were Patriarchs Nasrallah Butros Sfeir, Anthony Peter Khoraish and Boulos Meouchi, who was the first Lebanese to be appointed cardinal in 1965. From DailyStar