News In Brief

Pope sends three envoys to Lebanon and Syria

Pope John Paul II has sent special envoys to Lebanese President Amin Gemayel and Syrian President Hafez Assad to discuss events in Lebanon, the Vatican said Tuesday.

A brief Vatican statement said the Pope had sent three officials because he was ''profoundly worried about the developments and recent events in Lebanon.''

The statement said the Pope's decision to send the officials stemmed from the Lebanese people's desire for reconciliation and peace.

There was no specific mention of Lebanon's abrogation of its security and troop-withdrawal treaty with Israel.