VATICAN CITY, DEC. 13, 2001 (Zenit.org).- The Holy See will make every possible effort to bring to an end the conflict in the Middle East, including the role of mediation, if the parties involved request it.

VATICAN CITY, DEC. 13, 2001 (Zenit.org).- The Holy See will make every possible effort to bring to an end the conflict in the Middle East, including the role of mediation, if the parties involved request it.

Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, Vatican secretary for relations with states, made that disclosure in statements today during an interview on the Italian television station Telepace.

The interview took place in the framework of the meeting of Catholic leaders of the Holy Land on the future of Christians in the region. The meeting was presided over by John Paul II in the Vatican.

Archbishop Tauran said that the stagnation of the Mideast peace process was one of the first causes of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.