Vice-President of the Supreme Shiite Islamic Council, Sheikh Ali Al-Khatib delivered a speech at the opening of the Islamic-Christian spiritual summit, whereby he said: "We meet at this summit for the good of our country and our people, who deserve our every effort to preserve the unity of our land and immunize it against threats."

Referring to the dangers that are surrounding the country, Khatib stressed the need to whatever possible to protect Lebanon and its interests. "Instead, politicians are preoccupied with narrow accounts and factional and personal interests, which makes Lebanon exposed to all possibilities."

"The most important weapon for the Lebanese to face these threats and maintain their achievements -- along with the army and the resistance -- is their internal unity and maintaining their sense of conviviality. We are all in one boat, and we either arrive safe to shore together or, God forbid, drown together," he warned, underlining the need to anchor reconciliation across Lebanon and between all communities.