Lebanese prime minister to the Vatican today

Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss is heading today to the Vatican to meet tomorrow with Pope John Paul II and will also convene with Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano in the attendance of Secretary for Relations with States Jean-Louis Tauran.

Lebanese sources said that al-Hoss will inform the Pope about the losses in Lebanon due to the Israeli attacks and the importance of the Vatican's support for Lebanon in international circles, as well as the importance of urging the Christian leaders in the world to support Lebanon.

The sources added that al-Hoss is to ask Pope John Paul II to intervene to stop the Israeli strikes against Lebanon and assert the necessity of Israel's withdrawal from south Lebanon with no restrictions or conditions.