TEHRAN -- The 2006 cultural capital of the Islamic world, Isfahan in central Iran, and Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, once called the Bride of the Middle East, were named sister cities as the officials inked an agreement, Isfahan mayor announced on Monday.

Like Isfahan, Beirut is a historical city where people of different religions live, Morteza Saqqaiinejad added.

The two cities’ twinning will help promote bilateral cultural relations, predicted the mayor.

He also revealed that the holy city of Quds and Isfahan will be announced sister cities in the near future. “Since Quds is occupied by Israel, we are trying to do the job through negotiation with Lebanese officials.”

Saqqaiinejad said that Pope Benedict XVI’s recent sacrilegious remarks on Islam have caused problems for the would-be sister cities of Isfahan and the Vatican.

Many cities, including Mecca, Lahore, Florence, Kuwait City, Barcelona, Freiburg, and Lyon have been already twinned with Isfahan.