Pope Tawadros II praises Lebanon progress under President Aoun - Foreign Affairs
Pope Tawadros II, the head of Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church, praised on Monday the noticeable improvements in Lebanon's security and economic conditions under President Joseph Aoun's guidance.
The pope made these remarks during his meeting with the Lebanese president and his accompanying delegation at the Papal Residence in Cairo.
Pope Tawadros II welcomed President Aoun's first-of-its-kind visit to the Coptic Orthodox Church.
During their meeting, the pope highlighted Lebanon's special position in Egyptians' hearts and expressed his hopes for its swift recovery and prosperity.
He also spoke about the ancient heritage of the Coptic Church, founded in the first century, praising its strong ties with all institutions and components of the Egyptian state.
For his part, President Aoun thanked the pope for his warm reception.
Aoun noted that he, alongside the Lebanese government and parliament, is focused on moving forward and overcoming past hardships that deeply affected the country.
The Lebanese president also emphasized his resolve to prevent Lebanon from relapsing into former crises, expressing confidence that the support of allies, especially Egypt and President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, would help Lebanon reclaim its strength.
Furthermore, Aoun affirmed the deep bond between the Lebanese and the Egyptian peoples, inviting the pope to visit Lebanon soon.
After the meeting, the Lebanese president wrote a message of appreciation in the official guestbook before touring St. Mark's Cathedral, where he learned about its historical background, structure, and key milestones.
Earlier Monday, Aoun arrived in Cairo on his first official visit to Egypt since taking office in January.
He also met with President El-Sisi, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayyeb, and Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit.
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