Daryan in Egypt for Anti-Terrorism Conference

Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Daryan traveled to Cairo on Tuesday to attend an international conference on ways to confront terrorism and extremism.

Christian and Muslim representatives from around 130 countries are expected to attend the two-day conference organized by Grand Sheikh of al-Azhar.

“Lebanon's participation in this conference … is aimed at stressing Egypt's importance in resolving Arab and Islamic affairs,” said Daryan at Rafik Hariri International Airport before heading to Cairo.

Asked about the presidential deadlock, Daryan urged the rival parties to engage in dialogue and hold the polls.

The Mufti also welcomed the expected dialogue between Hizbullah and al-Mustaqbal movement and the latest initiative made by ex-PM Saad Hariri.

During a press conference held on Sunday, Azhar Undersecretary Abbas Showman said the conference aims at addressing misleading concepts that led to the spread of terrorism and extremism.

It also aims at mulling best ways for coexistence among followers of different religions to achieve world peace, he said.

The conference will also discuss jihad, atheism as well as the true meaning of the Islamic Caliphate, he added.

Last month, Shiite and Sunni clerics from about 80 countries gathered in Iran's holy city of Qom to develop a strategy to combat extremists, including the Islamic State group that has captured large parts of Iraq and Syria.

G.K.

H.K.