Lebanon’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Ahmad Qabalan warned on Sunday that the country is passing through a “sensitive phase,” accusing the Lebanese authorities of “pushing the country toward strife in service of foreign deals.”
In a statement marking the anniversary of the July 12, 2006 Israeli war on Lebanon, Sheikh Qabalan said the region is undergoing profound transformations, accusing the United States of seeking to redraw spheres of influence in the Middle East following setbacks.
“Lebanon is at the heart of these transformations and faces existential threats,” Sheikh Qabalan said, warning that internal divisions would serve “the plans of Tel Aviv and international powers seeking to fragment the region.”
The Grand Mufti criticized the performance of Lebanese authorities, accusing them of national and existential challenges. Addressing President Joseph Aoun, he stressed the need to preserve Lebanon’s political balance and consensual system.
“The Lebanese state is built on overarching national commitments and the protection of partnership among its components, not on making deals at the expense of sovereignty and national unity,” he said.
Sheikh Qabalan warned that continuing along the current path could push Lebanon toward renewed internal conflict, calling on the Lebanese people to uphold coexistence and prevent attempts to fuel division in pursuit of foreign agendas.
The Lebanese people must uphold the formula of coexistence, the distinguished Mufti said, accusing the Lebanese authorities of “pushing the country toward strife in service of foreign deals.”
“The internal situation is approaching a dangerous explosion that requires immediate action,” he said, urging immediate action to prevent what he called “the slaughter of Lebanon.”
On the regional level, Sheikh Qabalan called for greater cooperation among Arab and Islamic countries, including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, Turkiye, and Egypt, arguing that regional coordination away from external influence was essential for stability.
Source: Al-Manar English Website