HIC Forms Committee to Elect New Grand Mufti before End of Qabbani's Mandate

The Higher Islamic Council announced on Saturday forming a legal and technical committee to prepare for the upcoming elections to replace the current Grand Mufti before the end of his mandate.

"We discussed Dar al-Fatwa's questionable current situation and we formed a committee to prepare the road for an election to choose a new Grand Mufti,” a statement released by the HIC said after a meeting chaired by its deputy head Omar Mesqawi.

The statement noted that the committee would study and prepare the required procedures to carry out the elections before the end of Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani's mandate in September 2014.

The Council, which elects the Mufti and organizes the affairs of Dar al-Fatwa, has been at the center of controversy after 21 of its members, who are close to ex-Premier Saad Hariri's al-Mustaqbal Movement, extended its term until June 30, 2015 despite Qabbani's objection.

The Mufti later held elections for the Council, which current and former premiers, including Caretaker PM Najib Miqati and Fouad Saniora, deemed illegal for violating Shura Council decisions to halt the polls.

Separately, the HIC urged political leaders in Lebanon to form a cabinet “without any delay or procrastination,” underscoring the “dangerous situation in the country on the political, security, and social levels.”

"Any group that is obstructing the cabinet's formation must bear the national and political responsibilities that result from its attitude,” the conferees stressed.

The council also condemned all “terrorist acts taking place in the country and whose price is being paid by innocent citizens.”

"We reject all forms of uptight and extremist ideologies and Islam denounces these terrorist acts,” it assured.

The statement also praised the Bkirki Treaty, considering that is contributes to the building of the state and in strengthening democracy in the country.