The Executive Committee of the Assembly of the Christian Communities in Middle East headed by Maronite Bishop Samir Mazloum held a meeting in Antelias, Lebanon last week.

The Assembly was created six years ago with the aim of coordinating the activities as well as the human and material resources of Christian communities in the region. The Holy See of Cilicia is represented by Mr. Jean Salmanian and the Very Rev. Masis Choboyan.

The meeting focused on the situation in the region and assessed the impact of the Arab Spring on Christian communities, particularly in Syria. Bishop Samir Mazloum then invited His Holiness Aram I to the Conference to be held in October 2013, and to which representatives of the diaspora of local Christian communities are also invited.

His Holiness Aram I thanked the members of the Committee for their visit, and encouraged them to work towards strengthening Christian presence in the region by advising people not to emigrate. The Catholicos further urged them to promote Christian-Muslim dialogue, despite difficulties. He also briefly discussed the continuing efforts to release the two kidnapped Metropolitans of Aleppo.