Muslim to lead British Government Delegation to Vatican next week

One of the biggest ever British government delegations is to visit the Vatican and meet the Pope next week and will be led by a Muslim.

The visit, which will be led by Baroness Warsi, Cabinet Minister without Portfolio, follows the success of Benedict XVI's visit to the UK in Sept 2010.

The British delegation will discuss climate change, arms proliferation, religious tolerance, interfaith dialogue and the crisis in Somalia and the Horn of Africa with the Pope and Vatican officials.

"It's a very strong delegation and it's a way of showing that the relationship with the Holy See didn't end in a blaze of fireworks when the Pope's visit finished," said a Vatican observer.

"It's one of the most comprehensive British visits ever in terms of the range of interests represented.

"When the Pope gave his annual speech to the diplomatic corps in Rome last month the one country he mentioned by name was Somalia, expressing hope that the international community can tackle the problems in the Horn of Africa."