Hezbollah, Shiite Council condemn Kouyoumjian's 'Mutaa' remarks

Hezbollah condemned Friday remarks by the Head of Foreign Affairs in the Lebanese Forces Party, Richard Kouyoumjian, who criticized the Shiite Mutaa marriage and the political Shiism that he described as "arrogant."

"Even if religion allows it, Mutaa marriage remains an adultery that results in an illegitimate child whose mother is ashamed of, and whose actual father is different from his real father," Kouyoumjian had said in a tweet.

Kouyoumjian later told local media that he meant the political marriage between the Shiite Duo and Marada leader Suleiman Franjieh, and not the religious marriage, adding that he respects all religions and sects, including the Shiite sect.

Mutaa marriage, literally "pleasure marriage" is a verbal, temporary and private marriage practiced by Shiites.

"The term has been used before to describe the political relation between the Shiite Duo and the Free Patriotic Movement, and between the Duo and al-Marada movement," the Former Social Affairs Minister said.

He later apologized, in another tweet, stressing that his remarks were just political and not religious.

On Friday, Hezbollah said in a statement that Kouyoumjian has insulted the Shiites in Lebanon and in the world, accusing "some political parties" of "deliberately" mixing up between political disagreements and religious insults.

The Higher Islamic Shiite Council also condemned the former minister's remarks, urging for immediate measures against him and threatening that it will employ its full legal rights against Kouyoumjian.