Papal nuncio tells Lebanese president people long for peace, liberty

Published: 2005-01-13

BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNS) -- The papal nuncio to Lebanon told the nation's president that the Lebanese people long for peace and liberty. "Peace starts with the respect of human rights. The Lebanese long for peace," Archbishop Luigi Gatti told Lebanese President Emile Lahoud Jan. 10 at the president's meeting with the diplomatic corps. Archbishop Gatti said that peace means not just the absence of conflicts, "but also the peaceful resolution of the differences of opinion among various communities of the population and the dynamics of a social order founded on the rule of law and justice. It is absolutely imperative to provide a solid foundation for peace by safeguarding the rights of every citizen and the rights of the Lebanese people at large." Lahoud's term in office was extended after a Syrian-orchestrated constitutional amendment, despite a Sept. 2. U.N. Security Council resolution calling for elections for a new Lebanese president and for Syria to withdraw its troops from Lebanon.

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