The President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, received at Baabda Palace the Secretary-General of the Council of Muslim Elders, Counselor Mohamed Abdel Salam, and discussed with him the importance of interfaith and intercultural dialogue in promoting social peace and consolidating the values ​​of coexistence, especially since Lebanon, with its religious and cultural diversity, has represented throughout its history a civilized model of human coexistence. President Aoun praised the efforts made by the Council of Muslim Elders, headed by His Eminence the Grand Imam Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Sheikh of Al-Azhar, to promote dialogue, coexistence and human brotherhood, and spread the values ​​of peace and understanding among followers of different religions and cultures. President Aoun also praised the efforts of the United Arab Emirates, led by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, in sponsoring and supporting the Council’s tolerance and human brotherhood initiatives, especially sponsoring the Universal Human Fraternity Document. The President of the Republic renewed the invitation he had extended to His Eminence the Grand Imam Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Sheikh of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, to visit Lebanon, in appreciation of its global Islamic and humanitarian status, and its prominent role in promoting dialogue and human brotherhood, and spreading the values ​​of peace and coexistence among peoples. For his part, Counselor Muhammad Abdel Salam expressed the appreciation of the Council of Muslim Elders to President Aoun, stressing that Lebanon has a special place because of the religious and cultural diversity it represents and the historical experience of coexistence, and that preserving and strengthening this model constitutes an important message in light of the increasing challenges and divisions the world is witnessing. He stressed the Council’s keenness to continue working with religious and intellectual institutions and leaders in Lebanon in order to enhance dialogue and understanding, and to consolidate the values ​​of citizenship, coexistence, and human brotherhood, in a way that contributes to building more secure, stable, and peaceful societies.