Vatican City - Pope Benedict XVI called Sunday on Lebanon to find a "president for all Lebanese" in order to end tension and contribute to reconciliation in the country. Speaking after Angelus prayers in front of thousands of followers at St Peter's Square, the head of the Catholic church said Lebanon had been unable to elect a head of state for nearly three months.
The pope said he was concerned in view of the unusually harsh tone of the differences between rival groups and the threats of violence to remove opponents.
Tension has been mounting in Lebanon amid a political deadlock over the election of a successor for former president Emil Lahoud, whose term in office expired November 23.
Last week a parliament session to elect Lebanon's president was postponed until February 26 after a new Arab mediation bid failed.
The latest delay brings to 14 the number of sessions in parliament that have had to be postponed since September 25, amid failure by the rival parties to pick a successor to Lahoud
