The MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs Receives Colonel Attilio Cortone Representing the Italian Bilateral Military Mission in Lebanon, and an Accompanying Delegation
A Meeting Emphasizing the Importance of Strengthening Dialogue, Respect, and Fraternity
You can find some photos at the end of the text.
The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Professor Michel Abs received Colonel Attilio Cortone from the Italian Army, Representing the Italian Bilateral Military Mission in Lebanon (MIBIL), at the head of a delegation that included Mr. Emiliano Stornelli, Founding Chairman of the Religion & Security Council (RSC), Ms. Katia Fawzi Haddad, the Colonel's Public Relations Officer with the Lebanese, and Ms. Sally Abou Chakra, the Colonel's Translator. The meeting took place on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the MECC headquarters in Beirut.
A team from the MECC General Secretariat also attended the meeting. It included Mrs. Seta Hadeshian, Associate Secretary General, Professor Laure Abi Khalil, Coordinator of the "Dialogue, Social Cohesion and Preservation of Human Dignity" Projects, the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, Coordinator of Media and Church Relations, Mrs. Maha Semaan, Executive Assistant to the Secretary General, Elia Nasrallah, Communication and Media Officer in the Communication and Public Relations Department, and Mr. Johnny Antoun, Social Media Officer in the Communication and Public Relations Department.
Following introductions, Colonel Attilio Cortone presented an overview of his duties in Lebanon and his involvement in humanitarian and social issues. He highlighted the mission of the Italian Bilateral Military Mission in Lebanon. He also talked about the Mission's role in providing healthcare and medical services to the neediest, especially the humanitarian aid it has delivered in the South of Lebanon.
For his part, the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs spoke about the MECC work in building bridges and bridging distances between the different Church Families and components of the society. He also highlighted the MECC role in promoting dialogue and reconciliation and spreading the values of love and fraternity through various programs, seminars, and meetings. Professor Abs also addressed the Council's humanitarian work in serving every person with dignity, especially in light of the difficult circumstances the region is passing through.
Furthermore, both parties discussed ways of cooperation and coordination on future projects to achieve the common goals and work together to fate hate speech, promote mutual respect, and instill a sense of belonging to the homeland.
At the end, Colonel Attilio Cortone offered Professor Michel Abs and the MECC team commemorative gifts related to the Italian Bilateral Military Mission as a token of love and appreciation.
