Report: Salam to Meet with Pope in New York

Prime Minister Tammam Salam is expected to meet with Pope Francis on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly next week, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Saturday.

Salam will travel to New York next Thursday to represent Lebanon and address the 70th session of the General Assembly.

He is also set to meet with top world leaders, including the pope, said the report.

Diplomatic sources told the newspaper that a request made by Lebanese authorities for Salam to meet with Francis was swiftly welcomed by the Vatican.

The premier is expected to discuss with the pope the developments in Lebanon and the region, they said.

A high-level meeting of the International Support Group for Lebanon will also take place during the upcoming session of the General Assembly.