On Tuesday, December 20th, 2022, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Lebanon Walid bin Abdallah Bukhari visited His Holiness Catholicos Aram I.

The Catholicos spoke with the Ambassador about the blockade of the Lachin corridor by Azerbaijan that has caused a precarious humanitarian condition to the indigenous people of Artsakh and asked for the intervention of Saudi Arabia. They also discussed matters concerning relations between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, the Lebanese presidential election and the socioeconomic crisis in Lebanon.

Note that His Holiness had called upon ecumenical, interreligious and international organizations to pressure Azerbaijan into reopening the Lachin corridor. The World Council of Churches, the European Council of Churches, and the Middle East Council of Churches have issued statements condemning Azerbaijan’s blockade and inhumane acts towards the Artsakh people which is a violation of international law. Similarly, Pope Francis, in his Sunday sermon, has addressed the situation in Artsakh and called upon peaceful solutions for the sake of the welfare of the people.

It is noteworthy that later in the evening, His Holiness Aram I held phone conversations with His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, and Rupen Vartanyan, Artsakh State Minister, respectively. Minister Vartanyan briefed Aram I on the dire situation in Artsakh and requested that he continues his efforts in ending the blockade.