Pope Benedict appealed for a halt to arms imports to Syria, saying it would help end the civil war there.

He also hailed the Arab Spring as a positive "cry for freedom" so long as it included religious tolerance.

The pontiff spoke as he flew to the Lebanese capital Beirut for a three-day visit to promote peace in the Middle East and harmony between its minority Christians and majority Muslims.

Christian, Sunni and Shi'ite Muslim and Druze religious leaders joined Lebanon's political elite in greeting Benedict on his arrival, displaying a harmony not seen elsewhere in the region.

Pope Benedict said: "The import of weapons has to finally stop. Without the import of arms the war cannot continue. Instead of importing weapons, which is a grave sin, we have to import ideas of peace and creativity."

He described the Arab Spring as "a positive thing" and said there was a desire for more democracy, more freedoms, more co-operation and renewal.

All main faith groups in the country, which fought a civil war along sectarian lines from 1975 to 1990, have welcomed the visit. Among banners greeting Benedict on the road from the airport were several from the militant Shi'ite group Hezbollah.

But just hours after the Pope's arrival one person was killed in the northern city of Tripoli in clashes with security forces during protests over an anti-Islam film.

Hundreds of demonstrators set a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant alight, chanted against the Pope's visit and shouted anti-American slogans.