Pope backs G8 Middle East declaration

Pope Benedict XVI tonight lent his support to the G8 summit declaration on the Middle East, which blamed the militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah for the escalation in fighting and which urged Israel to exercise restraint.

“I fully agree with the G8 communique,” the Pope said when he returned to his Alpine holiday retreat after an excursion in the mountains.

“It seems to me that this indicates the road” to take, the pontiff said of the declaration issued by the Group of Eight leaders at their summit, which ended on Monday in St Petersburg, Russia.

“I have nothing else to add except to add the importance of prayer so that God may help us,” the Pope said.

On Sunday, Benedict expressed grave concern over the escalation of fighting in Lebanon and denounced terrorism and retaliation in the Holy Land. The Pope also spoke of his sorrow at the civilian deaths and appealed to leaders to “return to the path of reason” and work for dialogue.