Middle east leaders attending Papal funeral

BBC NEWS | World | Europe | World leaders to attend Pope's funeral

I am surprised yet appreciate that some leaders of the Arab world and the Middle East are attending John Paul II's funeral this Saturday.

The following are attending the ceremony according to the above BBC report:

Iranian President M. Khatami
Israeli President M. Karzav, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister S. Shalom
Lebanese President E. Lahoud, Prime Minister O. Karami and Speaker N. Berri
Palestinian Authority PM A. Qurei
Syrian President B. al-Assad