Sisi meets Lebanon mufti Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi met Tuesday with Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian, the mufti of Lebanon, presidential spokesman Alaa Youssef said.
Sheikh Derian praised steps taken by Sisi to achieve development in Egypt and meet aspirations of the Egyptian people, Youssef said.
Sisi reiterated Egypt's support for Lebanon and expressed hopes of stability in light of difficult circumstances in the Arab world, the spokesman added.
Derian said his country appreciates Egypt's support for Lebanon.
He spoke highly of the role played by the Egyptian Armed Forces in protecting Egypt's security and stability.
Lebanon, he added, counts on Egypt in reuniting Arab countries.
He stressed the need for boosting cooperation between Egypt's Al Azhar and the Iftaa House in Lebanon.
He hailed as moderate Islamic views promoted by Al Azhar.
Sisi was firm on the need to correct the religious discourse and to promote the values of coexistence, Youssef said, adding that Derian agreed with Sisi in this part.
Lebanon is acting to stop the spread of extremist ideologies that lead to terrorism, Derian said, condoling with Sisi for the murder of Egyptian soldiers and officers in Thursday's attacks in North Sinai.
Sisi stressed the important role played by men of the cloth in countering extremist thinking and promoting tolerant values of Islam.
Egypt's Al Azhar and its Awqaf Ministry will always support the Iftaa House in Lebanon in promoting the correct values of Islam, Sisi assured Derian.