Pope Benedict meets President of UN General Assembly

Pope Benedict XVI of the Vatican has met with HE President of the UN General Assembly Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al-Naser. During the meeting, the two sides highlighted the importance of dialogue between religions and different cultures as contributes to building bridges of trust and promotes the values of tolerance and mutual understanding between different peoples of the world. HE Al-Naser expressed deep belief in the growing role of the Alliance of Civilizations in light of the current significant cultural challenges facing the world, referring to the 4th Alliance of Civilizations Forum, which was held in Doha last December, which emphasized the importance of cultural diversity and its association with development. Talks during the meeting also covered the latest developments in the Middle East, mainly the situation in Syria, the Palestinian issue and the situation in Somalia, in addition to several humanitarian and international issues of mutual interest. HE Al-Naser briefed Pope Benedict XVI about the resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly which proclaims the first week of February every year the World Interfaith Harmony Week between all religions, faiths and beliefs, with the aim of promoting international peace and security through dialogue.