Pope Appeals for Lebanon Peace

Pontiff calls for end to infighting, election of 'president for all'

By Wesley Oliver, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 17, 2008 11:40 AM CST

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Pope Appeals for Lebanon Peace — Arab League chief Amr Moussa, left, meets with Christian opposition leader Michel Aoun, second left, leader of the parliamentary majority, Saad Hariri, second right, and former President Amin Gemayel, right, in the Parliament in Beirut, Lebanon Friday, Feb. 8, 2008. Moussa returned to Beirut last weeks... (Associated Press)

Pope Benedict XVI expressed concern today over the escalating tensions in Lebanon, calling on its people to find a “president for all Lebanese” to end the months of infighting that have stalled elections. After his noontime blessing, the pontiff told the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square that he was troubled by the country’s newly routine clashes, the AP reports.

Benedict spoke out against those “who put their trust in the strength of weapons and the physical elimination of adversaries.” Last week, parliamentary efforts to elect a new president were delayed for the 14th time, Earth Times reports. The deadlock has resulted in Lebanon’s worst political crisis since the end of the 1975-1990 civil war, the AP notes. (More Pope Benedict XVI stories.)

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