GAZA, January 13, 2007 (WAFA) - Gaza Governor, Mohammed al-Qedwa, hailed Friday, on behalf of President Mahmoud Abbas, the visit of a group of European and North American bishops to the Holy Land.

The group, which is part of the Co-ordination of Bishops' Conferences in Support of the Church of the Holy Land, was hosted by the Holy Family Church in Gaza.

Mr. al-Qedwa conveyed "a message of love and peace", appealing to the bishops to spread this message across the world for it may "help the Palestinian people get their rights of independence."

For his part, Father Manuel Musallam, the Parish Priest of the Latin Convent in Gaza, called on the international community to protect the Palestinian people. He updated the delegation with the hardships faced by the Palestinian people at the hands of the Israeli occupation.

A.D (23:12 P) (21:12GMT)