Aoun for Arab unity to guard diversity of Jerusalem

cairo — Lebanese President Michel Aoun urged Arab nations on Tuesday to come together to protect the multi-faith character of Occupied Jerusalem, whose status is one of the thorniest issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Aoun called on members of the Cairo-based Arab League to “unite our efforts to preserve the character of Jerusalem, which brings together both Christian and Muslim heritage”.

“Is it possible to imagine Jerusalem without Al Aqsa mosque, and without the Church of the Holy Sepulchre?” asked Aoun, visiting Egypt for the first time since his election. He accused Israel of trying to “Judaise Palestine”.

On Monday Aoun, a Maronite Christian, met the leader of Egypt’s Coptic Church, Pope Tawadros II, as well as Grand Imam Ahmed Al Tayeb of Al Azhar, the highest religious institution in Egypt.

He also held talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi. The Palestinians regard east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, while Israel proclaims the entire city as its capital. — AFP