Pope: violence will not resolve Syrian and Libyan drama

On Sunday Pope Benedict XVI launched an urgent and dramatic appeal to the Syrian authorities and population and to the International community to put an end to the violence that is afflicting both nations and seek accord through negotiation and dialogue.

In a strongly worded appeal at the end of the Sunday Angelus prayer and reflection, before greeting pilgrims to the Papal Summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, he said:

“Dear brothers and sisters,
I am following with great concern the dramatic and growing violence in Syria, which has caused numerous deaths and severe suffering. I invite the Catholic faithful to pray that efforts for reconciliation prevail over division and hatred. In addition, I renew an urgent appeal to the Syrian Authority and population, for peaceful coexistence to be restored as soon as possible and for an adequate response to the legitimate aspirations of the citizens, respecting their dignity and for the benefit of regional stability. My thoughts also go to Libya, where the force of arms has not resolved the situation. I urge International organizations and those who have political and military responsibilities to revive with conviction and determination the search for a peace plan for the country, through negotiation and dialogue”.


Since February, civil war has torn Libya apart.Despite dozens of NATO air strikes, in the past few months, the situation between rebels in Benghazi and forces loyal to Gadaffi in Tripoli is at a stalemate with huge human, economic and infrastructural losses on all parts, including NATO countries.

Sunday was also the second time that Pope Benedict has appealed for a peaceful solution to the crisis wracking Syria. But as the Pope launched his plea, scores of tanks and armoured vehicles are reported to have entered the eastern Syrian city of Deir al-Zour after a heavy bombardment that began before dawn.

The Apostolic Nuncio in the country, Archbishop Mario Zenari, says the Pope’s appeal shows how much the Holy Father “has the region at heart”. He also underlines that Syria “was and still is, an exemplary country in terms of harmony between different religious confessions, for mutual respect between the Muslim majority and Christian minority”. The Nuncio also calls for good will on both sides to find a negotiated solution and he expresses his hope “for an end to the bloodshed”.

Reacting to the Papal appeal, the Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch of Damascus Gregoire III Laham, adds “We are not afraid of Islam, we are afraid of a chaos taking over similar to that in Iraq”. The Patriarch also appeals to the international community – Europe and the United States in particular – to “find a solution to the Israeli Palestinian question”, which he says “is of greatest importance for the Arab nations in the region and our future”. Finally the Patriarch appeals to the Arab peoples of the Middle East – Christian and Muslim - “to love one another”. He says “We can with the love of God, Christians and Muslims overcome this crisis and this tragic situation and continue - Christians, Muslims and Arabs – on the path of peace, progress, freedom and democracy in the Arab world”.

But on the ground, facing international condemnation, including from Syria's regional allies, President Bashar al- Assad continues to defend the military campaign against dissent. In a phone conversation on Saturday evening UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged Assad to stop the use of military force against civilians immediately. While on Sunday the Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby issued a statement expressing "growing concern and strong distress over the deteriorating security conditions in Syria due to escalating violence and military operations in Hama and Deir al-Zor and other areas of Syria". On Sunday alone over 60 people were reported killed in the military operations, a toll expected to rise.

Activists say at least 1,650 civilians have been killed and ten of thousands arrested since the uprising began in mid-March. Access to Syria has been severely restricted for international journalists and it is rarely possible to verify accounts by witnesses and activists. The UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary and Arbitrary Executions, Christof Heyns, says he is worried about the killings but also about the tactics used by the authorities to quell the on-going demonstrations. Listen to full report: