Pope Benedict XVI received on Wednesday a letter from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on bilateral relations and the regional situation. The letter was conveyed by Vice President Farouk al-Shara during a meeting with the Pope in Vatican City.
A statement issued by the Vatican's press center that Pope Benedict referred to the crucial circumstances in the Middle East, and the necessity of concentrating efforts to surpass these difficult circumstances. He pointed out to the situation in Lebanon, affirming the need for the Lebanese people to choose a new president that represent all the Lebanese parties.
For his part, VP al-Shara said that Syria's vision is identical to the Pope's regarding the next Lebanese president in that he should represent all Lebanese parties and that he should be elected during the set constitutional time period.
Later, al-Shara met with the Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States Monsignor Dominique Mamberti, and discussed with him regional developments, particularly in Lebanon and Iraq, with Monsignor Dominique expressing the Vatican's appreciation of Syria's aid to Iraqi refugees. The meeting was attended by Syrian Assistant Foreign Minister Abdelfattah Amora.
Al-Shara arrived in Rome on Tuesday on an official visit. |