Higher Islamic Council Calls on Formation of National Salvation Cabinet

The Higher Islamic Council urged on Saturday the Lebanese to maintain the security situation in Lebanon amid the “delicate” stage the country is passing through.

“The division, chaos and lawlessness level that the country has reached... compelled us to demand all the responsible sides to facilitate the formation of a national salvation cabinet,” the council said in a statement.

The council expressed solidarity with the state and its institutions and called for the importance of fortifying the military and security agencies.

The meeting was chaired by Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani in Dar al-Fatwa.

The statement also called on the political leaderships to abide by the dialogue culture to achieve a national reconciliation.

The sharp rift among Lebanese foes over several issues reached a deadlock as disputes are ongoing over the line-up of the new cabinet, which Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam has been trying to form since his appointment in April and over calls by Speaker Nabih Berri's for the parliament to convene amid a resigned cabinet, in addition to several other disputes including the tasks that should be carried out by a caretaker cabinet, which is led by caretaker PM Najib Miqati.

The council called on the parliament to assume its responsibilities and agree on a modern electoral law.