Lebanon to implement arms restriction during pope's visit

The Lebanese military announced on Wednesday it would temporarily suspend most weapons licences as part of the security measures to be imposed during a visit to the country by Pope Benedict XVI next week, dpa reported.

"The Lebanese Army, in coordination with security forces in the country, will closely monitor the implementation of the Defence Ministry's decision to temporarily suspend most licences of arms throughout the country," the army said in a statement.

It said government bodyguards, lawmakers, religious leaders and diplomats will be exempt from the restriction.

In addition to the arms restriction, the army also said it would ban hang gliders over the area of Beirut where the pontiff will be staying. The pope is scheduled to visit Lebanon September 14-16.

The Maronite Christian Bishops Council on Wednesday expressed hope that the papal visit will bolster coexistence among the Lebanese people.

Christians make up 39 per cent of Lebanon's 4.1 million population. The country is the centre of the Maronite Church, which follows the doctrines of the Catholic Church in Rome.

The visit will be the first by Pope Benedict XVI to the Middle East since the Arab Spring uprisings erupted across the region in late 2010.

It also comes as the conflict in neighbouring Syria has spilled over into Lebanon, with fighting among supports and opponents of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.