Jaafarite Mufti Ahmad Qabalan called Wednesday for treating south Lebanon, the southern suburbs of Beirut and Bekaa as "part of Lebanese territory," according to a statement reported by the state-run National News Agency (NNA).

“The state will not be established without affirming national sovereignty and treating the south, the southern suburbs [of Beirut], and the Bekaa as part of Lebanese territory,” said the dignitary, known for his proximity to Hezbollah. These regions were those most affected by the 13-month conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.

“Lebanon still suffers from divisions, national and economic corruption, and social disasters ... while flagrant waste affects public administrations, amid international influence with an [foreign] agenda deeply conflicting with Lebanese priorities,” said the mufti. He also called for “recovering depositors’ money and restoring the reputation of the Lebanese pound.”

Several projects and draft laws, including banking secrecy, are set to be debated during a plenary session on Thursday at 11 a.m. in Parliament. On Wednesday, April 16, MPs adopted, in joint committees, the draft law amending banking secrecy, with some minor changes. This is a law eagerly awaited by the International Monetary Fund, to whom Lebanon has recently renewed its request to subscribe to a financial assistance program conditioned on the implementation of reforms.

This Wednesday, Mufti Qabalan issued a thinly veiled threat against voices calling for Hezbollah’s disarmament, stating that any “mistake” on this issue could “blow up Lebanon,” adding that any national defense strategy must include the party's forces.