2 September 2016. On Friday, His Holiness Aram I received former Minister of State Ibrahim Shamseddine, the son of deceased President of the Higher Shia Counsel, Imam Mohammed Mehdi Shamseddine, in his office at St Mary’s Monastery in Bikfaya..

They exchanged views on the current conflict in the Middle East and issues related to Lebanon. They also discussed the forthcoming Assembly of the Middle East Council of Churches, at which His Holiness Aram I will give the keynote address.