JOHN PAUL II RECEIVES PRESIDENT LAHOUD OF LEBANON

VATICAN CITY, MAR 2, 2001 (VIS) - Joaquin Navarro-Valls, director of the Holy See Press Office, made the following declaration early this afternoon:

"The Holy Father received in audience this morning Emile Lahoud, president of the Republic of Lebanon.

"After his talk with the Pope, the Lebanese president was received by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of state, and by Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, secretary for Relations with States.

"The talks offered the opportunity to reaffirm the particular ties that unite Lebanon and the Holy See, the latter hoping that this country can reclaim the position due it in the Middle East.

"Special attention was dedicated to the problem of those who have had to abandon the southern regions in the last months: the hope was expressed that everyone can return to their homes as soon as possible.

"In addition, the opinion was expressed that only an authentic avenue of national reconciliation will allow the country to overcome current difficulties and to become again a 'message' of coexistence among the populations of diverse cultures and religions."

OP;LAHOUD; LEBANON;...;NAVARRO-VALLS; SODANO;VIS;20010302;Word: 190;