Daryan on Advent of Ramadan Urges Dialogue, Calls against Doubting Army in Arsal

Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Daryan lamented on Wednesday the “paralysis” affecting Lebanon's presidency, government, and parliament, while calling against questioning the army's role in defending the northeastern border town of Arsal against foreign threats.

He said during his message to the Lebanese on the advent of the holy month of Ramadan: “We should not doubt the intentions of the military in Arsal.”

“Arsal is in danger and we must help the army overcome this crisis,” he urged.

“Only the army is qualified to defend Arsal,” declared the cleric.

Daryan also demanded dialogue among Lebanon's political foes to end the paralysis of state institutions.

“We should place national interests above others … as the situation in the Arab world is unbearable,” he noted.

“The situation in Lebanon is becoming worse due to the political developments and the state can no longer aid the people due to its paralysis,” he noted.

“We are all concerned with the poor political and economic situations in Lebanon and we are therefore in need of a new president, effective government, and active parliament,” he stressed.

“We do not understand how one political camp can usurp the will and capabilities of a whole country,” he added.

“Nations are not built through stubbornness, but through dialogue,” Daryan explained.

He later held talks with a delegation from Arsal, reported Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3).

Lebanon has been without a president since May 2014 when the term of Michel Suleiman ended without the election of a successor.

Ongoing disputes between the rival March 8 and 14 camps over a compromise candidate have thwarted the polls.

Hizbullah's Loyalty to the Resistance and MP Michel Aoun's Change and Reform blocs have been boycotting the election over the dispute.

The vacuum in the presidency has weighed heavily on the functioning of cabinet and parliament.

M.T.

G.K.