Daryan Condemns Damascus Bombing, Hopes Mustaqbal-Hizbullah Will Resolve Pending Disputes

Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Daryan condemned on Monday the bus bombing that targeted Lebanese pilgrims in the Syrian capital Damascus, saying it is an attack that goes against moral, religious, humanitarian, and social values.

He said: “Terrorist and criminal acts against civilians contradict the true principles of Islam.”

He made his remarks from Rafik Hariri International Airport ahead of his departure to Egypt on an official visit where he is scheduled to meet with a number of political and spiritual officials.

Daryan added: “We constantly call and strive for Muslim unity, but we want these demands to be materialized in actions, not just words.”

Nine people were killed and at least 20 injured in Sunday's Damascus bombing.

The pilgrims were traveling from the shrine of Sayyida Roqaya in central Damascus to the southern shrine of Sayyida Zeinab when the bomb detonated. The bus belonged to a Shiite pilgrim tour company and had left Beirut early Sunday morning.

Commenting on the dialogue between the Mustaqbal Movement and Hizbullah, Daryan said: “We have previously announced our support and encouragement to such endeavors and hope that they will positively affect the security situation in Lebanon and ease sectarian tensions.”

“We hope that the gatherers would speed up the results of their dialogue in order to pave the way for deeper and more comprehensive talks that would resolve pending political affairs, especially the presidential elections,” he added.

On Hizbullah's attack against an Israeli military convoy in the occupied Shebaa Farms on Wednesday, he said: “Lebanon's security is above all else.”

“We believe that Israel is an enemy state and we reject its assaults against Lebanon,” he continued

“Violations and attacks should be tackled through diplomatic channels and before the international community,” explained the mufti.

“We call on all political factions to take a united stand on these violations,” urged Daryan,

Two Israeli soldiers were killed and seven wounded when Hizbullah fired a salvo of anti-tank missiles at the Israeli military convoy. The attack prompted Israel to fire a number of retaliatory shells against targets in southern Lebanon.

Hizbullah said the Shebaa operation was in response to a January 18 Israeli air raid on a party convoy in Syria's Quneitra which killed six Hizbullah fighters, including prominent members, and a top Iranian general.

The Foreign Ministry on Friday submitted a complaint against Israel to the U.N. Security Council over its violation of Resolution 1701 through the retaliatory shelling.

M.T.

G.K.