Asiri Urges Support for New Mufti to Fight Extremism

Saudi Ambassador Ali Awadh Asiri has called for a campaign against extremism and urged the Lebanese authorities to abide by the newly-elected Mufti's roadmap to salvage the country.

But Asiri said Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Daryan needed the support of the rest of the Sunni clerics to correct the misconceptions of some young men about Islam.

“The battle against extremism does not come by force,” the diplomat told As Safir newspaper in remarks published on Tuesday.

Extremist thought should be fought through moderate speeches either in mosques or political platforms, he said.

Daryan is aware of the challenges facing the country and the speech he made after his election forms a roadmap to salvage the situation, Asiri told As Safir.

All political parties should adopt this roadmap and his program, he said.

Daryan, who was elected on Sunday, promised to strengthen the unity of the Sunni sect and defuse tension between Sunnis and Shiites.

He described Islam as a religion of moderation and tolerance and called for fighting militancy, extremism and violence in the name of religion.

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