Qabbani sees Syrian-Saudi talks benefitting Lebanon
Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammad Rashid Qabbani expressed confidence Friday that the recent Saudi-Syrian talks will reflect positively on the overall situation in Lebanon.
"We feel comfortable concerning the inter-Arab deliberations, led by Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdel-Aziz, which will benefit Lebanon," Qabbani said. He added that he was "optimistic about the formation of a national unity cabinet within the next few days, led by Premier-designate Saad Hariri."
He also called on all political sides to "facilitate the mission of Hariri without putting obstacles on his path." Speaking to the Central News Agency Friday, the mufti touched on efforts to maintain security in Beirut. Qabbani said a meeting which will include Muslim and Christian spiritual leaders as well as Beirut MPs is expected to be held in the Sunni seat of Dar al-Fatwa to "declare Beirut as a safe city free of arms." He said the meeting will stress that the security of the capital was "in the hands of the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Internal Security Forces."