Mikati and Derian call for solidarity and cooperation from all political factions

The Mufti of the Lebanese Republic, Sheikh Abdellatif Derian, was received at the Grand Serail on Thursday by the outgoing Lebanese Prime Minister, Najib Mikati. During the meeting, Mikati called on the various Lebanese parties to “cooperate” in the face of the ongoing Israeli offensive and the risk of sedition.

During the meeting at government headquarters, the outgoing Prime Minister insisted, according to a statement issued by his cabinet, on “cooperation from all Lebanese political factions in the face of the current challenges, notably the Israeli offensive,” stressing the “need to protect the Lebanese from the dangers and divisions” provoked by Israel.

Several national and international bodies have recently warned against attempts to sow sedition in Lebanon, where over a million people have been displaced by intense Israeli air strikes, particularly in the south of the country, the Bekaa and the southern suburbs of Beirut.

For his part, Mufti Derian felt that solidarity on all sides would “strengthen Lebanon's internal position in the face of crises” of a political, social and economic nature. The highest Sunni authority also considered it “essential to strengthen Islamic and national unity.” It called for the political forces “to agree to rapidly elect a new president,” while Lebanon has been without a head of state for over two years. “The first step to ensure stability and security is a cease-fire, followed by the election of a unifying president,” added the dignitary.