Report: Berri, Miqati not in Rome over Rejection to Become 'Accessories'

Disagreement on the Lebanese official delegation's participation in Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi's appointment as cardinal in Rome prevented the attendance of Speaker Nabih Berri and Premier Najib Miqati, al-Liwaa daily reported on Saturday.

The newspaper said that both Berri and Miqati refused to become “accessories” and wait in line following Suleiman's insistence to hold separate talks with Pope Benedict XVI on the eve of the ceremony.

A similar scenario had taken place during the pope's visit to Beirut in September, al-Liwaa said.

Following the disagreement, Suleiman decided to attend Saturday's ceremony alone, it added.

Around 1,500 Lebanese personalities have arrived in the Vatican from Lebanon and other countries to attend the elevation of al-Rahi and five other prelates during the ceremony at St. Peter's Basilica.

Suleiman met on Friday with Benedict XVI, who emphasized the importance of dialogue as a means of solving problems among Lebanon's bickering politicians.

The pope also urged them to strengthen stability so that Lebanon remains “a model of interaction despite the difficulties” in the region.