Pope welcomes UN-backed roadmap on Syria, efforts in Libya

Agence France-Presse

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Pope welcomes UN-backed roadmap on Syria, efforts in Libya

AFP

Recent efforts spark hopes for an end in the political deadlock, Pope Francis says

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis welcomed a United Nations-backed roadmap to end the Syrian war on Sunday, December 20, and said recent efforts to establish a national unity government in Libya sparked hopes for an end to a political deadlock which has allowed jihadists and people-smugglers to flourish.

“I am moved to turn my thoughts to beloved Syria and express my great appreciation for the agreement just reached by the international community,” the pontiff said following the Angelus prayer in Saint Peter’s Square.

“I encourage everyone to continue energetically down the path to an end of violence and a negotiated solution for peace,” he said, after the UN backed a US and Russian initiative Friday, December 18, to end Syria’s brutal civil war by summoning rebels and the regime to the negotiating table.

The Argentine pontiff also sent his thoughts to “Libya, where the recent engagement between parties for a national unity government inspires hope for the future.”

An agreement was reached this week among rival Libyan factions in a bid to stem the chaos in that country which international experts fear is creating conditions for the so-called Islamic State to put down roots.

The accord, reached during UN-mediated talks in Morocco, faces an uncertain future however, with some Libyan tribal or regional groups rejecting it in advance. – Rappler.com

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!