Int'l Conference on dialogue among civilizations kicks off in

Al-Gairawan, Tunisia, June 02, SPA -- Tunisia's Prime Minister
Mohammed Al-Ghanoushi opened here tonight the first working session
of the International Conference for Dialogue and Civilizations and
Cultural Diversification, inaugurated by President Zein El-Abidine
ben Ali earlier today.

Saudi Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohieddin
Khoja is attending the conference as honorary guest in addition to
some 100 Arab, Islamic and foreign dignitaries as well as
representatives of 20 regional and international organizations.

In a key address at tonight's session, Dr. Khoja said the call of the
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
for dialogue among the followers of religions and those who belong to
different cultures and civilizations, emanates from the spirit of
dialogue and cultural diversification and for the endeavor to find
out an ideal example for co-existence among nations and peoples and
to evade wars, violence and catastrophes.

Dr. Khoja expressed hope that this conference would constitute a
renewed chance for enhancing the spirit of dialogue among
civilizations and cultures and that it would be a continuation of all
previous efforts in this regard.
--SPA