Pope Benedict, Lebanese PM discuss Prophet Mohammed cartoons

Feb 16, 2006, 17:44 GMT

Vatican City - Pope Benedict XVI is believed to have condemned the publication of controversial cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed during a meeting Thursday with the Prime Minister of Lebanon, Fouad Siniora.

Speaking to reporters after their 20 minute meeting at the Vatican, Siniora said the cartoon controversy had been discussed and that Benedict had told him that 'freedom in no way should trespass on the freedom of others.'

The Vatican's press office issued an official statement saying the two leaders had discussed the general situation in Lebanon and the Middle East and that both had underlined the need to 'work to educate people in reconciliation and peace, in the respect of human rights and in particular of religious rights.'

The Vatican had previously condemned the cartoons as 'an unacceptable provocation.'

Siniora, like 60 per cent of Lebanon's population, is Muslim. The rest of the Lebanese population is mostly Christian.

Thursday's meeting came amid renewed anti-cartoon protests in several Islamic countries and a controversy in Italy over a government minister's decision to sport a T-shirt with the cartoons.

Reforms Minister Roberto Calderoli, who belongs to the anti- immigration Northern League party, showed off his T-shirt during a television show late on Wednesday.

The move was condemned by Italy's Foreign Minister, Gianfranco Fini, who accused Calderoli of 'irresponsible behaviour'.

'At such a difficult and delicate time for relations between Europe and the Muslim world, everyone, particularly government ministers, should uphold a serious and responsible conduct,' Fini said.