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GLOBAL ZENIT NEWS
Rome's Zenit News
Pope Urges Haste in Aiding Sri Lankan Refugees
VATICAN CITY, NOV. 11, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is calling for a just political solution to challenges that Sri Lanka is still facing, now some six months after the government's victory over the rebel Tamil Tigers. The Pope spoke of Sri Lanka today as he concluded the general audience in Paul VI Hall. A 26-year conflict ended there in May but around 250,000 Tamils are still living in refugee camps as monsoon season nears. The government assures that it is doing what it can to rapidly return the displaced to their homes. The Pope lauded today "efforts by the authorities who in these weeks have been facilitating the war refugees' return home." But he gave his full support to "the acceleration of this task" and encouraged all Sri Lankans " to work for rapid peace, with full respect for human rights and for a just political solution to the challenges that this country has still to face." The Bishop of Rome urged the international community to do everything possible to assist the humanitarian and economic needs of Sri Lanka. He implored the Blessed Virgin of Madhu, venerated even by faithful of other creeds, to "continue caring for this much beloved land."
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