Sheikh Khatib calls for 'unity' as Lebanon 'is at crossroads'

Vice President of the Higher Shiite Council (HSC), Sheikh Ali al-Khatib, addressed Lebanese leaders during his Friday sermon, urging them to "unite, because the cause is just and the aggression of the [Israeli] enemy is unjustified."

"Reconciliation requires that the Lebanese people and their leaders be united within the framework of the State, and that they tone down their conflicts because these harm the general interest in these serious circumstances," he said, adding that "Lebanon is at a crossroads and is subject to incessant attacks. We must all collaborate before shifting responsibility to another country. As long as the performance of our leaders remains unchanged, we provide the enemy with a pretext to continue its aggression and take advantage of our dissensions."

Lebanon suffered a destructive war between Hezbollah and Israel in 2023-2024. Although a cease-fire agreement came into effect on Nov. 27, 2024, the Israeli military continues its regular attacks on south Lebanon and occasionally on the southern suburbs of Beirut.