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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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(Newser) – 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.

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 for talks with rival...
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,...   (Associated Press)
Pope Benedict XVI waves to faithful during the Angelus prayer in St. Peter's square at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008. The Pontiff appealed to the citizens and politicians of Lebanon, calling for a solution to the country's dangerous power vacuum and worsening internal strife. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Pope Benedict XVI waves to faithful during the Angelus prayer in St. Peter's square at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008. The Pontiff appealed to the citizens and politicians of Lebanon, calling for...   (Associated Press)
Pope Benedict XVI appealed to the citizens and politicians of Lebanon, calling for a solution to the country's dangerous power vacuum and worsening internal strife, the AP reports. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)
Pope Benedict XVI appealed to the citizens and politicians of Lebanon, calling for a solution to the country's dangerous power vacuum and worsening internal strife, the AP reports. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo...   (Associated Press)
Lebanese pro-government supporters hold pictures of Saad Hariri, the Lebanese Parliament's majority leader and son of slain former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri,in front of the newly unveiled statue of his father which stands a few hundred meters (yards) away from the spot where he was killed in Beirut, Lebanon,...
Lebanese pro-government supporters hold pictures of Saad Hariri, the Lebanese Parliament's majority leader and son of slain former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri,in front of the newly unveiled statue of...   (Associated Press)
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Pope will deliver mass at a US ballpark
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Lebanon • Pope Benedict XVI • Catholic Church • Beirut • parliament • St. Peter's Square • faithful • Lebanese presidential elections

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