Ambassador of Ukraine to the Lebanese Republic Volodymyr Koval took part in the meeting with the Pope Benedict XVI on September 15, 2012 within the Papal visit to Lebanon The meeting took place in the Presidential Palace in Baabda (East Beirut). The Pontiff was greeted by President Michel Sleiman, Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Speaker of the National Assembly (Parliament) Nabih Berri, top religious and political figures of Lebanon. In response Benedict XVI made a speech with call for peace and reconciliation in the Middle East region and peaceful coexistence of all the religious confessions and political forces.