Middle East

Most want to take away voting rights from Israeli Arabs and deny it to Palestinians in case the West Bank is annexed. They also want separate roads for Israelis and Palestinians and the separation of Jewish and Arab children. This "picture is a very, very sick one" for Israel. Perhaps more than racism, it embodies naked power over the defeated.

Demonstrations and clashes in Lebanon after the Ashrafieh attack that killed Gen. Wissam al-Hasan. The opposition has called for the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Mikati. Risk of division among the Lebanese communities and a spiral of violence in the Middle East increases. But in the country of the cedars, there are also those who speak of prayer for the Syrian people and civic responses to political violence.

With the encyclical Redemptoris Missio, the Polish pope returned mission to non-Christians to the center of the Church's life. He re-launched the conciliar Ad Gentes document boosting it in urgency and quality. Meanwhile, the Catholic mission slid towards short-sighted commitments: weapons, water, debt ... fruits of a crisis of faith. A witness of the Council and of mission speaks (Part VI).

Intelligence chief Gen. Wissam al-Hasan, was killed in yesterday’s attack in Ashrafieh. He had eradicated Syrian Israeli and Salafi espionage and terrorist cells. Protests in many cities across Lebanon. Politicians and people accuse Assad. The UN envoy’s attempts at a truce before the end of the month. Condolences pour in from across the world, including the Vatican. Patriarch Rai’s appeal for unity and coexistence.

In a telegram sent by the Secretary of State, Benedict XVI condemns the violence and asks God for peace and reconciliation for Lebanon and the entire region

The decision is not official yet, but has been confirmed by sources within the Council and by many Saudi newspapers. The candidates must be more than 30 years of age and have a high level of education.

The mission ad gentes, revived by Vatican II, suffered the violent Marxist ideological interpretations and sociological reductions. Pope Paul VI always took the right direction, indicating where "true liberation" is found and that Jesus Christ is the centre of the missionary commitment. A witness of the Council and of mission speaks (Part V).

Mohammed Christophe Bilek pleads with Muslims to defend freedom of conscience and the right of Muslims to change their religion in the same way that Christians can embrace the Muslim religion. At the same time, he calls on Christians not to marginalise converts and work instead to ensure their rights in Muslim countries and in Europe.

The new homes will be built in Gilo, a settlement south of East Jerusalem. Angry Palestinians say that the decision will destroy any hope for a two-state solution. Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat appeals to the international community. Israeli Prime Netanyahu said he would accept some of the conclusions of a report that claims that Jewish settlement outposts are not illegal.

A car bomb explodes in the early afternoon in the predominantly Christian district of Ashrafiya (north-east of Beirut), damaging some buildings. Its objective remains unclear.

The meeting between the two religious leaders took place yesterday. Vatican delegation visits Christian historical sites in the area. Mgr Lingua says that for Shia leader Benedict XVI's Lebanon trip is "very significant" for interfaith dialogue. Young Christians and Muslims are told their task is to build a "free and humane" society.

Thousands of Christians and Muslims marched on 9 October along the path taken by protesters a year before to commemorate the 26 young Copts killed. Since then, nothing has changed, whilst chaos and violence are spreading across the country. On 12 October, the Muslim Brotherhood and liberal groups clashed in Tahrir Square with more than a hundred people injured, 50 seriously. Pro- and anti-Brotherhood protests break out across Egypt.