BEIRUT — Pope Benedict XVI has arrived in Lebanon with a message of peace for the Middle East.

The three-day visit, starting today, comes at a time of turmoil in the region — the civil war in neighboring Syria and in the aftermath of a mob attack that killed several Americans in Libya, including the U.S. ambassador.

The pope told reporters on the plane that imports of weapons to Syria is a “grave sin.”

The visit brings the pope to the nation with the largest percentage of Christians in the Mideast — nearly 40 percent of Lebanon's 4 million people, with Maronite Catholics the largest sect.

Lebanese authorities are enacting stringent security measures.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — The British palace will investigate a French magazine's claim of having topless photographs of Prince William's wife, Kate, an aide to the royal couple said today.The couple's tour of the Far East and South Pacific to mark Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee was marred by Closer magazine's announcement Thursday that it will publish topless photos of Kate.The magazine claims the pictures were taken on a guesthouse terrace in France where William and Kate were on vacation this month.A royal aide told The Associated Press in Kuala Lumpur today that William and Kate “are saddened to learn about the alleged photos.”