Pope Concerned over Lebanon

 
Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday expressed his concern over “persistent signs of tension in Lebanon”, which has been without a head of state for nearly three months, during his weekly Angelus prayers.

 

“There is no shortage of reasons to be concerned,” the pontiff said, calling on the Lebanese and their political leaders to work “tenaciously towards a sincere dialogue and reconciliation.”

 

“Efforts to resolve the crisis and the support offered by the international community, even if they have not yet produced a result, bear witness to the intention to appoint a president who would be recognized by all Lebanese which would form the basis to get over existing divisions,” he told the faithful gathered in Saint Peter”s Square.

 

Tensions have been running high in Lebanon as the country grapples with a protracted political crisis that has left it without a president since the end of November.