(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil visited Mexico this week to meet with the Lebanese-Mexican community and call for closer economic ties between the two countries.
Bassil stressed the role of Lebanese expatriates in strengthening economic relations by investing in Lebanese exports.
The minister said Lebanon could “turn into Mexico’s (economic) gateway to the Arab world,” according to statements published by the National News Agency on Monday.
Bassil also met with the Maronite community, stressing that the Christian presence in Lebanon was critical for the region.
“We are entrusted with the mission of our lord Jesus Christ, and we have to maintain it in Lebanon by remaining rooted in our land,” Bassil said. “If (Maronites) ever leave Lebanon, I assure you that not a single Christian will remain in the country or in the whole Orient.”
Bassil’s added that Lebanon’s power sharing between Muslims and Christians was unique in the Arab world.
“Our Lebanese identity cannot be divided from our Christianity, it is not opposed to it and it does not undermine others sects, but it embodies Lebanon’s particularity, because it is the sole Christian-Muslim country in the Orient which is based on equality between these two religions,” he said.
Bassil began his visit to Latin American countries on Friday with a visit to Cuba, where he signed a diplomatic agreement with the country.