The situation of Christians in Syria could worsen under a new government, a Maronite bishop in the region said.
Bishop Samir Mazloum of the Maronite Patriarchate of Antioch, with his see in Bkerke (Lebanon), voiced this concern in a recent meeting with the international Catholic pastoral charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).
He said the Church was monitoring the events in the neighbouring country with "a certain trepidation", as it was not inconceivable that a new regime "could be much more dictatorial and fanatic even than the Assad regime".
The bishop noted that the Muslim Brotherhood in particular was "very strong and extremely well prepared to take power".
In such a case, he fears the introduction of the Sharia, which would also apply to Christians.
Bishop Mazloum said this would make Christians "second-class citizens denied equality and the right to a normal life".
He also fears possible reprisals against Christians.
He termed the situation of Christians in the past 30 years under the Assad regime "acceptable", a circumstance that in the event of a radical change could be construed as "collaboration with the Assad regime" and provoke actions against Christians.
Bishop Mazloum said the situation was only acceptable because the regime itself was constituted by a minority, the Alawites, so that minorities were not abused.
However, he expressly endorsed changes in the direction of democratising the country and ensuring human rights, "as the youth in the streets are demanding".
About 1.6 million Christians live in Syria, and about 35,000 of them are Maronites, who are united with the Roman Catholic Church.