BEIRUT: Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Lebanon on Friday for a three-day visit in which he is expected to bring a message of peace and reconciliation to Christians and Muslims, said an AFP correspondent at Rafiq Hariri International Airport.
The pope, who left a rainy Rome late morning, arrived to sunny skies and pleasant temperatures.
A crowd of dignitaries and around 100 cheering supporters looked on, one holding up a banner that said "Joy to Lebanon. The pope has arrived."
The 85-year-old pontiff carefully descended the steps from his Alitalia flight and was greeted by President Michel Sleiman, the Middle East's only Christian head of state, to a 21-gun salute and as church bells rang out around the country.
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