Priest’s expulsion order revoked

Guinea Bissau President Joao Bernardo Vieira has revoked the expulsion order against the Italian priest, the Reverend Mario Faccioli, for publicly accusing France of military intervention in the West African country, the Portuguese news agency Lusa reported. Vieira pardoned Faccioli after his diocese gave an explanation for Faccioli’s accusation. On Friday, Faccioli was given 24 hours to leave the country where he had worked for 43 years. In an interview last week, Faccioli denounced France accusing it of backing the beleaguered Vieira in his efforts to put down a military revolt. French President Jacques Chirac last week denied Faccioli’s allegations.