Pope Benedict: Lebanon Example of Coexistence in the Middle East and World
Local Editor
Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Lebanon's capital Beirut Friday noon in a three-day sojourn.
Speaking to reporters on his Alitalia flight to Lebanon, the pope called for a halt to weapons imports to Syria which he said were a "grave sin."
The pontiff said he was not afraid to visit Lebanon and described the Arab Spring that has already removed four long-serving dictators as "positive."
"It is the desire for more democracy, for more freedom, for more cooperation and for a renewed Arab identity," the Holy See said.
Addressing the Lebanese when arrived to Beirut's international airport, the pontiff praised Lebanon's efforts to maintain dialogue among religions and described the country as an "example of coexistence in the Middle East and the world."
Lebanese President Michel Suleiman alongside Lebanese officials, also religious and public figures had received the pontiff at the airport, where a Lebanese Army band played the national anthem and the 21-gun salute was fired in honor of the pope.
President Michel Sleiman expressed hope the pope's visit would bring good to Lebanon and the region.
"We hope that your visit will bring good to Lebanon, the people of this region and their countries including Christians of the East," Suleiman said.
Church bells throughout the country echoed in celebration as the pontiff walked out of the plane at Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut.
On the airport road, yellow Hizbullah banners bearing the pontiff's image and the words "Welcome to the homeland of the resistance" hung from electricity posts.
Triumphal arches were also set up on the streets along which the pope's convoy will pass during his travel in Lebanon.
Source: News Agencies
Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Lebanon's capital Beirut Friday noon in a three-day sojourn.
Speaking to reporters on his Alitalia flight to Lebanon, the pope called for a halt to weapons imports to Syria which he said were a "grave sin."
The pontiff said he was not afraid to visit Lebanon and described the Arab Spring that has already removed four long-serving dictators as "positive."
"It is the desire for more democracy, for more freedom, for more cooperation and for a renewed Arab identity," the Holy See said.
Addressing the Lebanese when arrived to Beirut's international airport, the pontiff praised Lebanon's efforts to maintain dialogue among religions and described the country as an "example of coexistence in the Middle East and the world."
Lebanese President Michel Suleiman alongside Lebanese officials, also religious and public figures had received the pontiff at the airport, where a Lebanese Army band played the national anthem and the 21-gun salute was fired in honor of the pope.
President Michel Sleiman expressed hope the pope's visit would bring good to Lebanon and the region.
"We hope that your visit will bring good to Lebanon, the people of this region and their countries including Christians of the East," Suleiman said.
Church bells throughout the country echoed in celebration as the pontiff walked out of the plane at Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut.
On the airport road, yellow Hizbullah banners bearing the pontiff's image and the words "Welcome to the homeland of the resistance" hung from electricity posts.
Triumphal arches were also set up on the streets along which the pope's convoy will pass during his travel in Lebanon.
Source: News Agencies
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