President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, stressed on Saturday that Lebanon can be a global center for the dialogue of religions and civilizations for the reason that the country embraces the religions and doctrines of the world. 
"Evacuating the Christians from the East and dividing the region into several states has a political purpose," General Aoun said during an interview on Sat 7 TV station. 
Aoun gave an example about the migration situation of the Christians from the Middle East saying that "Out of 22%, only one percent of the Christians remains in Jerusalem." 
"Is it possible that we [Christians] become homeless and we [Christians] are the ones who lived in the region and delivered the civilization to Europe and the world?" He wondered. 
The President revealed that Pope Francis was worried about the Christians' situation in the Middle East and expressed desire to visit Lebanon. 
Aoun said that terrorism in the region targeted the Christians and the Muslims equally. 
Asked about the strategic elements to strengthen the Lebanese presence and the Christian role in the East, the President stressed that Lebanon has many competencies whether on the scientific, religious or literary levels. 

Source: NNA