Pope stresses respect for Muslims and seeks talks

Castelgandolfo, Italy: Pope Benedict assured Muslims yesterday that he respected them and was committed to dialogue, in an unprecedented encounter to defuse anger at his use of quotes saying their faith was spread by the sword.

In a speech to diplomatic envoys from some 20 Muslim countries plus the leaders of Italy's own Muslim community at his summer residence south of Rome, the Pope said both Christians and Muslims had to reject violence.

Several of the envoys who attended said they considered the meeting had gone a long way to help end the controversy that began two weeks ago with a speech by the Pope at a university in his native Germany.

Controversy closed

"I think this meeting has resolved many problems ... we can close this controversy," said Khalil Al Toubat, a member of the Italian Muslim community's liaison group with the government.

The Pope did not specifically mention the quote that angered Muslims worldwide, saying the circumstances that made the meeting necessary "are well known".

"Christians and Muslims must learn to work together ... in order to guard against all forms of intolerance and to oppose all manifestations of violence," the 79-year-old Pope said at the meeting in the papal summer palace.

It was the fourth time he has tried to make amends, without actually apologising directly, for his speech on September 12. Mario Scialoja, an adviser to the Italian section of the World Muslim League who attended the audience, said afterwards he thought it was a "very good and warm speech".

"He recalled the differences but expressed his willingness to continue in a cordial and fruitful dialogue, said Scialoja, who added that he "had not been expecting another apology".

The atmosphere at the 30-minute meeting, which was broadcast live, appeared cordial.