Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Daryan called Sunday for backing the efforts of ex-PM Saad Hariri that are aimed at speeding up the election of a new president, while warning against staging any street protests during this period.
“We are being told that escalation is coming... What is the need for this partisan and sectarian incitement and all types of hatred? Where are the elected MPs? Why don't they head to parliament to elect a president? Do you want the situation in Lebanon to become like the situation in some countries in the region?” Daryan warned in a sermon marking the Hijri New Year.
“Lebanon is going through a delicate and critical period that is engulfed by some optimism but the situation cannot continue as it is,” he added.
“The consultations and contacts that ex-PM Saad Hariri is conducting are a source of hope and we hope his visits will lead to solutions to all issues, topped by the election of a president,” the mufti went on to say.
Urging the country's leaders to “back these efforts that are in the interest of the country and its citizens,” Daryan warned that Lebanon “cannot withstand further waiting and delay.”