His Excellency Mr. Issam Fares was among Lebanon’s official delegation to the funeral of His Holiness The Supreme Pontiff John Paul II. Chaired by H.E. President of the Republic Mr. Emile Lahoud, the delegation included the First Lady Mrs. Andre Lahoud, House Speaker Mr. Nabih Berri, designate-Premier Mr. Omar Karami, Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Issam Fares who had joined the delegation at Rome’s Airport, and Lebanon’s Ambassador to the Holy See Mr. Naji Abi Aassi.

The three-hour funeral procession took place at St. Peter’s Basilic in the presence of an exceptional international crowd that gathered more than 200 world leader, as well as official delegations representing the entire international community.