President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, on Friday requested the support of the Holy See making Lebanon an international center for interfaith dialogue, especially after the approval of a number of countries.
President Aoun's statement came during a meeting at Baabda Palace with President of the Italian Episcopal Conference, Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti, who visited his Excellency in the company of a delegation including Vice-President of Pope John Paul II Foundation, Monsignor Luciano Giovannetti, and Chargé d'Affaires of the Pontifical Mission in Lebanon, Monsignor Ivan Santos.
During the meeting, President Aoun stressed the importance of diversity in Lebanon among different civilizations and religions.
"I therefore proposed that Lebanon be a center for dialogue of civilizations, religions, and races. We are working towards this end under the auspices of the United Nations, especially as many countries will support us, and I am sure of the Vatican's ability to help as well," Aoun added.
On another level, Baabda Palace witnessed political, tourism and economic meetings on Friday.
In this context, President Aoun welcomed Tourism Minister, Avedis Guidanian, with a delegation from the Evenement Association, which includes presidents and directors from 70 French agencies that organize the events of French companies in France and around world. These events include conferences, seminars, and lectures.
Guidanian spoke on behalf of the delegation, noting that the presence of its members in Beirut, at the invitation of the Ministry of Tourism, falls within the framework of the ministry's strategy to make Lebanon a conference hub in the eastern basin of the Middle East region, especially in light of the security stability that made Lebanon a tourist destination.
President Aoun welcomed the delegation in Lebanon, reminding its members that the only country that has managed to maintain stability in an unstable region is Lebanon.
"The French are welcome as tourists and as investors," Aoun added, hoping that relations between the two countries and peoples will be strengthened.
In the context of conferences being held in Lebanon, President Aoun also met with a delegation of participants in a conference to explore and develop oil and gas fields in Lebanon, which had been held at the M?venpick Hotel in Beirut.
President Aoun welcomed the delegation, and stressed his keenness to sponsor conferences that increase the knowledge of citizens, "not only for specialists, but for those who wish to garner knowledge at the national level."
President Aoun also expressed his interest in national oil and economy, and expressed hope that oil production would help improve Lebanon's economic situation.
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