Shaar Says Moderation Will Succeed against Terrorism as al-Rahi Deems Shatah Loss as 'Major Blow'

Mufti of Tripoli and the North Sheikh Malek al-Shaar lamented on Sunday the assassination of former Finance Minister Mohammed Shatah, saying that Lebanon lost a symbol of moderation and intellect.

He said during Shatah's funeral in downtown Beirut: “Justice and moderation will be victorious against those who practice terrorism and seek destruction.”

“The other camp has sought destruction, murder, and the martyrdom of our men,” he said.

“We will not steer off the path of those seeking to build a civilized state,” he stressed from the al-Amin Mosque.

“We will not adopt terrorist ideologies and we will stand against all forms of killing and destruction,” he declared.

“The Lebanese will find out that moderation will reign over all and the country will never veer off this course,” he said, while urging the need to form a new government “away from spite.”

“The new cabinet will achieve Lebanon's interests, freedom, sovereignty, and independence,” said Shaar.

Meanwhile, Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi condemned Shatah's assassination, saying: “Lebanon's Christmas celebrations were tarnished by the assassination of a peaceful figure.”

“His death is a major blow to the whole of Lebanon,” he said via Twitter.

He described Shatah as a personal friend, who had a viable vision on how to end Lebanon's political crisis.

Shatah was assassinated in a car bombing in downtown Beirut on Friday.

Six other people, including his bodyguard Tareq Bader, were also killed in the blast.

Shatah and Bader were laid to rest on Sunday at slain former Premier Rafik Hariri's mausoleum in Beirut.