Lebanon Parliament Speaker sponsored the opening ceremony of the regional conference entitled “Muslims and Christians in Light of the Major Changes - Critical Challenges”

Lebanon Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri sponsored the opening ceremony of the regional conference entitled “Muslims and Christians in Light of the Major Changes - Critical Challenges” in Beirut - Coral Beach Hotel Monday evening.

Many official figures, clergymen and intellectuals from both religions attended the ceremony, which was organized by the Cultural Chancellery of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Lebanon and the Arab Group for Muslim – Christian Dialogue. They discussed the challenges and repercussions of the regional unrest and the importance of unity in order to foil conspiracies that aim to cut the region apart and plunder its resources.

In his unprecedented speech, Berri warned Arab countries against Western conspiracy meant to galvanize Persian-Arab sensitivities. He also called on Gulf countries to consider Iran as “a source of power for the Arab people, not as a threat” and to never forget that their true enemy is ‘Israel’.

“The brothers in the Arab Cooperation Council must not fall into the distraction attempt and consider Iran as a threat while Iran’s strength can be used as strength to the Arabs, particularly to the Palestinians,” Berri said.

“We call for a targeted dialogue on human rights and the establishment of the Arab human rights charter based on national plans for human rights,” Berri said. He stressed that the most important dialogue should begin with boosting an inter-Muslim dialogue aimed at “reconciling the various Muslim sects and confronting the enemies of the nation that are trying to rekindle strife.”

Berri also voiced hope that Sunni and Shia religious authorities in Egypt, Iran and Iraq would make efforts to “reinforce dialogue.”

In turn, Iranian Culture and Islamic Guidance Minister Mohammad Hosseini said that “Christians need to defend Muslims from the immoral European invasion.”

Earlier on Monday, Berri met Minister Hosseini in Beirut. The Iranian minister told reporters that the two men discussed the “importance of bolstering cultural bilateral ties,” in addition to other issues, the National News Agency reported. “We need to focus our efforts on [pinpointing] the chief enemy, which is the Zionist entity that is targeting the states and people of this region,” Hosseini said.