Syria plea for Pope support

The Pope was greeted by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad

At the start of Pope John Paul II's historic visit to Damascus, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has criticised the Israelis, accusing them of killing and torturing Palestinians.

Justice demands that Syrian and Palestinian lands should be returned to their owners

President Bashar al-Assad

The Pope was still at the airport when President Bashar launched his verbal attack, plunging the pontiff into the turmoil of Middle East politics.

"Justice demands that Syrian and Palestinian lands should be returned to their owners," President Bashar said in his welcoming speech.

He asked the Pope to remember in his prayers the suffering of the people of the Golan Heights and of Palestine.

"We expect you to stand by them," he said.

In reply, the Pope appealed for all parties to seek a lasting peace and a new attitude of understanding, based on international law.

The Pope received an enthusiastic welcome

"We all know that real peace can only be achieved if there is a new attitude of understanding and respect between the people of the region, between the followers of the three Abrahimic religions," he said.

He described his four-day pilgrimage - during which he is retracing the steps of Saint Paul - as an ardent prayer of hope.

The pontiff was warmly greeted in Damascus by enthusiastic crowds waving flags and chanting "We love you, John Paul" and "Syria welcomes your Holiness".

Building bridges

It is his first trip to Syria as part of his continuing attempts to build bridges between Christians and Muslims.

On Sunday he will become the first leader of the Roman Catholic Church ever to enter a mosque.

Syrians hope the visit will boost their country's image

The Vatican says the visit to the Umayyad mosque - one of the holiest sites in Islam, as well as the scene of St Paul's conversion - will also be the first time that Muslims and Christians have prayed together in an organised way.

In recent years, the Vatican has declared the relationship with the Muslim world as being of pivotal importance and has been putting increasing time and energy into improving relations.

Syrians have been hoping that the visit of a world-famous leader will improve their country's often negative image.

The authorities have been accused of political oppression and sponsoring terrorist groups, but correspondents say there is a high degree of religious tolerance in the country, in a population of diverse faiths and ethnic backgrounds.