Pope calls for Lebanon unity over new president

Pope Benedict XVI blesses the faithful during his weekly Angelus prayers over Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican November 11, 2007.

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Benedict urged Lebanon's rival leaders to unite behind a common presidential candidate who can represent all people in the divided country.

On Saturday, Lebanon's parliament postponed a presidential election from Nov. 12 to Nov. 21 in a bid to break a deadlock over a consensus candidate and end a political crisis that is threatening the stability of the country.

The Pope said at his weekly Angelus blessing that he shared concerns expressed by Maronite Christian Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir and "his vow that all Lebanese will feel represented by the new president".

He called on all parties to set aside personal interests and work for the common good.

Lebanon's political crisis pits the Western-backed government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora against the opposition led by Syrian-backed Hezbollah.

The new president should be a Maronite in line with Lebanon's sectarian power-sharing system but Maronite leaders are fiercely divided over the election.