Mikati meets with Pope, says Lebanon needs both Christians and Muslims

PM Najib Mikati said that Christians in the East are the pillars of freedom and Human Rights, adding that the Christians’ migration from Lebanon is not at all due to religious factors, but to the bad economic situation they all suffered from.     

Mikati told Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican that Islam is a religion of tolerance, openness and acceptance of others. He also reiterated his invitation for the Pope to visit Lebanon.       
For his part, the Pope stressed his determination to visit Lebanon next fall, adding “I believe that Lebanon will remain a country with a mission among the world’s states”.    

“I love Lebanon and its people; I will keep on praying for this country”, he said.     

At the Vatican, Mikati met with Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone and Foreign Minister Monseigneur Dominique Mamberti. They both voiced their concern as to the situation in the Middle East, stressing the necessity to ease tensions to make room for “the language of reason”.      

They both agreed on the fact that “Lebanon is fundamental for the Christian presence in the East”      

Mikati confirmed that the Lebanese are working to preserve Christian-Muslim coexistence as a valuable tool to find solutions to the problems that shook the Christian presence in some Arab countries. Mikati also explained the cabinet’s approach to addressing the challenges facing Lebanon.             

Mikati sensed the Pope’s satisfaction with Lebanon’s assiduous efforts to maintain security and promote relations with the international community.