Kataeb leader, MP Samy Gemayel concluded Sunday his visit to Italy by holding a special meeting with the Foreign Minister of Vatican, Cardinal Pietro Barolin.

Gemayel had participated in the works of the International Union of Center Parties in Rome, in his capacity as Vice President of its Executive Committee.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Gemayel had a retreat with Barolin during which he briefed him on the situation prevailing in Lebanon in terms of "the state's loss of sovereignty and free decision in favor of seizing the country by illegitimate forces holding the decision of war and peace."

Additionally, he briefed him on "Lebanon's economic situation in the absence of the government's will to carry out the reforms needed to save the country."

For his part, Barolin stressed the Vatican's close follow-up of the situation in Lebanon, expressing concern over the recent developments, and confirming "the support of the Holy See to Lebanon and its sovereignty and independence and all that serves the Lebanese people."