Sodano Meets With Lebanese PM
Jul 30, 2006
The Holy See’s outgoing secretary of state, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, has met with the son of assassinated Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
(The Universe, July 26, 2006) Saad Hariri visited the Vatican as part of a diplomatic tour of European, Arab and Muslim countries to urge leaders to put pressure on the warring sides for a ceasefire.
Hariri, the Lebanese parliamentary majority leader, said the Vatican promised it would do everything it could to bring about a truce and open up a humanitarian aid corridor in Lebanon.
Hariri told the Italian daily La Repubblica that "hundreds of thousands of people are fleeing: They've lost their homes and they don't have food or medicines.'
He called on the international community to help 'end the carnage" caused by a conflict he said was triggered by people still trying to manipulate Lebanon.
"The Lebanese people did not want this war, and they are asking for a global solution for the region's problems and for the ongoing legal questions with Israel," he said.
While he blamed Syria and Iran for putting their own interests before those of their neighbors, he also criticized the severity of Israel's reaction to Hezbollah violence.
"The way in which Israel is bombing Lebanon and killing civilians is simply unacceptable,' he said.
Sodano Meets With Lebanese PM