Mechaal speaks with Derian. (Credit: Mountasser Abdallah/L'Orient Today)
BEIRUT — The head of Hamas’ political bureau for foreign affairs Khaled Mechaal met Thursday with Grand Mufti Sheikh Abd al-Latif Derian as part of his visit to Beirut.
Here’s what we know:
• Following his meeting with Derian, Mechaal said “we affirmed to His Eminence, as we will also assure all the officials we will meet, that the Palestinian people residing in Lebanon in the camps are a guest of this country and respect the principles of hospitality, and under the roof of law and order and the laws of the state, as well as respect the security and stability of this honorable country.”
• Mechaal said he hoped the Lebanese authorities “will provide the Palestinians with a life of dignity until they return home.”
• Mechaal also directly addressed last week’s loss of life in Sur, saying: “We respect this country, its political authority and its laws, and that is why we called on the officials in Lebanon to punish the murderers, hand them over and hold them accountable according to the law. This crime cannot be justified, but certainly this does not mean that we will go to an internal war.”
• Mechaal is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Thursday afternoon.
• Mechaal arrived in Beirut yesterday on a visit to mark the 34th anniversary of the creation of Hamas during which he is meeting with Lebanese and Palestinian officials to discuss the social and humanitarian situation of Palestinians in Lebanon.