Misqawi-Led Islamic Council Extends Own Term, Urges Qabbani to Resign

The Higher Islamic Council led by ex-minister Omar Misqawi on Saturday said it has decided to extend its own term until June 2015 and called on Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani to resign to "preserve the unity of Muslims."

The meeting at the Mohammed al-Amin Mosque in downtown Beirut was attended by caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati, Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam, ex-PM Fouad Saniora and the members of the council, state-run National News Agency said.

"Based on the Higher Council's decision taken in Nov. 2009, in the presence of ex-PMs Fouad Saniora, Salim al-Hoss and Najib Miqati, it has been decided to extend the term of the Council whose mandate had expired in 2009, with the aim of allowing the council to conduct the financial probe that has preoccupied the media in addition to restructuring the endowment and fatwa institution,” said a statement issued by the council.

The council noted that the state's Shoura Council had issued several resolutions invalidating decisions made by Qabbani over the “violation of regulations.”

It said that the mufti's call for new elections and his declaration of the results that ensued were null and void at the legal level and aimed at “creating chaos and sowing discord among Muslims.”

“The council reiterates its call for His Eminence, Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbni, to submit his resignation out of keenness on the unity of Muslims and the higher Islamic interest,” it added.