Pope calls for an end to Iraq's suffering VATICAN CITY: Pope John Paul II called on Saturday for an end to Iraq's suffering, saying the decade-old UN embargo and effects of a "destructive" war were hurting the weakest. The pontiff, who has frequently spoken out against economic sanctions on Iraq, Cuba and other countries, made the comments during a meeting with Iraq's new ambassador to the Vatican, Abdul-Amir Al-Anbari. "As the embargo in your country continues to claim victims, I renew my appeal to the international community that innocent people should not be made to pay the consequences of a destructive war whose effects are still being felt by those who are weakest and most vulnerable," John Paul said. The 80-year-old pope also used the occasion to urge greater dialogue in Iraq between Muslims and Christians and to subtly call on the Baghdad authorities to respect those of different faiths. "It is the obligation of every government to ensure that the equality of all citizens before the law is never violated for religious reasons, whether openly or covertly," the pontiff said. John Paul told the ambassador that one of the Vatican's top priorities was to remind public opinion that no government or policy has the right to "reduce" human beings to merely what they can do or produce. "The inalienable rights and personal dignity of every human being must be upheld, the transcendent dimension of the human person must be defended," the pope said. The UN Security Council imposed sanctions on Iraq after Baghdad's 1990 invasion of Kuwait. The council has said the embargo won't be lifted until Iraq has destroyed its weapons of mass destruction. John Paul had planned to travel to Iraq at the start of his Holy Year celebrations last year, but Baghdad cancelled a trip, claiming it was unable to organise the visit. (AP) For reprint rights:Times Syndication Service