His Majesty King Abdullah meets with Lebanese Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al Rahi on Sunday (Photo by Yousef Allan)

His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday said Arab Christians are an “integral” part of the Arab-Islamic culture, stressing the need to protect the Christian presence in the Arab world and reduce their migration, particularly in Palestine and other countries witnessing a state of instability.

During a meeting with Lebanese Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al Rahi, King Abdullah and Rahi called for the need to further entrench the values of tolerance, dialogue and understanding among followers of different religions to promote peace and global stability.

The King underlined the “deep” ties between Jordan and Lebanon and his commitment to develop them at all levels to serve the interests of the two countries.

Also yesterday, the patriarch visited the King Hussein Mosque upon an invitation from the Jordan Tourism Board in the presence of the ministers of awqaf and tourism.

Rahi, who concluded a several-day visit to the Kingdom yesterday, visited Madaba Governorate, touring Um Rassas and Mount Nebo, and laid the cornerstone for the Maronite Church at the Baptism Site. This was his first visit to Jordan since he was elected patriarch of the Maronites last March.