PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: cathcil@cathcil.org
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: nian.htm

HIS HOLINESS RECEIVES THE CO-CHAIRMEN OF
THE CHRISTIAN-MUSLIM DIALOGUE COMMITTEE

His Holiness Aram I received the co-chairmen of the Christian-Muslim
Dialogue Committee in Lebanon, Dr. Mohammed Sammak and Hares Shehab, in
Antelias on June 25. The representative of the Armenian community in this
committee, Dr. Jean Salmanian, also attended the meeting.

The aim of the meeting was consultations on how to bring Lebanon out of
its current stalemate and what initiatives the MECC can take in this
respect.

The Pontiff and his guests discussed the possibility of convening a
meeting of the spiritual leaders of all the communities in Lebanon, as well
as plans for a closed meeting between spiritual and political leaders. His
Holiness advised adopting a realistic approach, staying away from inciting
new sensitivities. He proposed organizing meetings with prominent political
figures with the following process:

1..
Formation of a new government with the participation of all sides. In
this respect, the Catholicos pointed out that for understandable reasons, it
might be premature to form a national unity government, but it is essential
to form a government in which all sides and communities participate.
2..
The re-launching of national dialogue under the auspices of the new
government.
3..
An agreement on the election of a new president, someone who would not
be the representative of one side, but a person representing the whole of
Lebanon.