CATHOLICOS ASKS SAUDI ARABIA TO INTERVENE ON BEHALF OF ARTSAKH 

His Holiness Catholicos Aram I called on Saudi Arabia to intervene on behalf of Artsakh in a meeting he had with the Saudi ambassador to Lebanon, Walid bin Abdallah Bukhari, on Tuesday, Dec. 20.   

The Catholicos received the ambassador at the Holy See in Antelias, where they discussed the blockade of the Lachin corridor by Azerbaijan, endangering the population of Artsakh. 

His Holiness has 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. Pope Francis addressed the situation in Artsakh in sermon last Sunday, Dec. 18, calling for a peaceful solution.

The Catholicos also discussed the situation in telephone conversations with His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, and Ruben Vardanyan, Minister of State of the Republic of Artsakh.