Germany′s Steinmeier meets religious authorities in Lebanon

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, left, speaks during a press conference with his Lebanese counterpart Michel Aoun, at the Lebanese presidential palace, in Baabda east of Beirut, north Lebanon, on Jan. 29, 2018. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

BEIRUT: Religions are once again playing prominent roles in societies, especially in the Middle East, said German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier from Beirut on Tuesday.

Addressing Islamic and Christian religious authorities who received him in Lebanon’s Dar Al-Fatwa, he said: “Religious harmony indicates acceptance of diversity and coexistence among the various components of society.”

“Germany has experienced this kind of coexistence and is aware of its importance as a basis for stability and peace.”

Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian, the grand mufti of Lebanon, highlighted the importance of coexistence in Lebanon, and stressed that “Islam has nothing to do with violent extremism or religious terrorism.”

“Islam is based on respect for human dignity and diversity. It calls for peace, love and unity,” he said. “The region’s stability will only result in ending the occupation in Jerusalem and Palestine.”

The German president also met Prime Minister Saad Hariri and discussed “bilateral relations between the two countries and ways for improving cooperation, as well as Germany’s participation in the three upcoming international conferences to support Lebanon — the Rome 2 Conference for supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces, the Paris Conference for supporting Lebanon’s economy, and the Brussels Conference on Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region,” according to the prime minister’s media office.

In his meeting with Steinmeier, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri highlighted the importance of holding the vote of the upcoming parliamentary elections on time and promised to prevent anything that jeopardized the stability and unity of the Lebanese people, his media office said.

Germany’s president visited the crew of the German Navy’s UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers on their vessel F261 Magdeburg, which is anchored at Pier 3 in the seaport of Beirut.

Steinmeier has also laid a wreath at the Martyrs’ Square in Beirut in the presence of ministers and dignitaries.

President Aoun and Steinmeier stressed “the need to find a political solution for the current Syrian crisis and the importance of Germany’s participation in the three conferences to be held in Rome, Brussels and Paris to support Lebanon.”

When asked about his country’s encouragement for ensuring the safe return of displaced people, the German president replied: “We have thoroughly discussed the situation in Syria, and after several failed international attempts to achieve a cease-fire, I became slightly more optimistic after the defeat of Daesh.”

“There are new developments in northern Syria, but we still don’t know their long-term impact on the security situation,” he said, “We must watch the developments very closely.”

“I think the Lebanese president and government will continue to discuss the return of refugees, but unfortunately, most parts of Syria are not yet suitable for the return of the displaced.”